If you are bored enough to watch this, it's a video of walking all the way through my hometown (Ephrata)... from one end to the other and back again. :-)
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
free day
I bought a khachapuri this afternoon and it had a big long hair in it. So I took it back to the place and the gave me a new one (which actually surprised me). But it was grroooooossss-- the fact that there was a hair in the first khachapuri, not the new second hair free khachapuri.
Today was my day off. Typically when I picture a day off I think of: sleeping in until 12 or later, maybe spending some time creating something--like painting or making cards or something, also walking outside in the sunny weather, and maybe even cleaning my room. And those were things I was actually looking forward to. But then yesterday I found out that one of the ladies from the street kid center I'm working with, had planned a special program for the kids at her church and they wanted to know if I could come and help. At first I really didn't want to... but I chose to go anyways.
When I walked out of the metro, I was like bombarded by these kids yelling my name, hugging and kissing me, asking where I've been (because I haven't been to the center now for like 2 weeks). That in itself was sweet and rewarding. Then seeing them enjoy their time at the program. And also, I brought one of the DTS students, Tamila, with me-- and she really liked it. AND I was able to set up outreach for our DTS for this next week (working with some refugee kids)... there was a lady there who is doing that now. SO, in the end, I'm really glad that I chose to go!
Today was my day off. Typically when I picture a day off I think of: sleeping in until 12 or later, maybe spending some time creating something--like painting or making cards or something, also walking outside in the sunny weather, and maybe even cleaning my room. And those were things I was actually looking forward to. But then yesterday I found out that one of the ladies from the street kid center I'm working with, had planned a special program for the kids at her church and they wanted to know if I could come and help. At first I really didn't want to... but I chose to go anyways.
When I walked out of the metro, I was like bombarded by these kids yelling my name, hugging and kissing me, asking where I've been (because I haven't been to the center now for like 2 weeks). That in itself was sweet and rewarding. Then seeing them enjoy their time at the program. And also, I brought one of the DTS students, Tamila, with me-- and she really liked it. AND I was able to set up outreach for our DTS for this next week (working with some refugee kids)... there was a lady there who is doing that now. SO, in the end, I'm really glad that I chose to go!
first week-- check.
I made it through the first week of DTS. In many ways it was really difficult, but I can say that it was actually quite an amazing week. I'm really seeing how God is protecting and blessing our students. And He's really teaching me a lot too, just about my character, how to be in a leadership position, how to choose humility instead of pride and really a lot of other things. Of course I'm completely exhausted, but I feel really rewarded.
Some of the DTS peoplesWe're STILL waiting to hear from the students who applied from South Korea... they had trouble with their plane tickets, and said that they'd be getting here by Wednesday-- but they haven't showed up and we haven't heard from them. So they have until Sunday to get here... after that there won't be enough of lecture phase left for them to get credit for the school. So it's kind of a bit strange not knowing about that situation. Like, we're still planning and preparing things with the expectation that they will be here. But really I have no idea what's happening with them. So we will see.
I can't really find anything else to say (because my brain and body are tiiiiiirreeeed) but I felt strange just abruptly ending with that last paragraph. Okay, good night.
I can't really find anything else to say (because my brain and body are tiiiiiirreeeed) but I felt strange just abruptly ending with that last paragraph. Okay, good night.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
explosion
Tomorrow, my life will explode into an array of joyous events and activities.
In other words, DTS will start.
I'm excited.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
music
I remember reading on the news the other day, about a study some people were doing on the way music affects behavior. They stated that kids who listened to music that freely talked about certain activities, more frequently participated in those activities in their actual lives (I won't get specific here). And then some other people came along and said that it was too simplistic (or some word like that) to draw a connection between music and behavior.
And I'm thinking like, HELLO... it totally influences.
Music moves people-- that's why they applaud loudly after a band performs an awesome song. That's why they cry when they hear certain lyrics sung to certain melodies. That's why they drive more aggressively/faster when they're listening to an upbeat intense song.
I see it in my own life too. The music I listen to totally affects me and my mood and my thoughts.
I just think it's ridiculous that people would want to deny that fact.
And I'm thinking like, HELLO... it totally influences.
Music moves people-- that's why they applaud loudly after a band performs an awesome song. That's why they cry when they hear certain lyrics sung to certain melodies. That's why they drive more aggressively/faster when they're listening to an upbeat intense song.
I see it in my own life too. The music I listen to totally affects me and my mood and my thoughts.
I just think it's ridiculous that people would want to deny that fact.
Monday, March 02, 2009
my grammatically painful story of my visa adventure with Maia
I was so wrong when I had the thought that applying for my visa/resident card thing would be easy. I must have forgotten that I'm applying for one in Georgia.
(Georgia, I still love you in spite of your sometimes deterring and problematic quirks.)
By the way, this story might be painful to read for the grammatically proficient.
I gathered all my papers and headed downtown to meet Maia, who would be helping me with translation and such. Our first stop was to find a good translation/notary place to translate and notarize my passport. Dropped off the papers. Next, visa pictures. Done fast, and pretty good (is it even possible to take a photogenic passport/visa photo?). We then headed to a leisurely stop at a coffee shop while my passport was being translated. Drank some tea and ate some sandwiches. Then off to pick up the passport translation which was done very well. Good. Next off to the ministry of justice to begin the application process. We walk into the building and notice that there aren't many people there... we think: 'Good for us! This will be done quickly!' We get up to the man sitting behind the desk and are informed that the visa/passport part of the ministry of justice has been moved to another (distant) location.
Problem 1.
This was not, however, insurmountable. We stop off at McDonald's for a bathroom break (clean bathrooms all over the world). Then we run into some of the street kids that I work with, and talk with them for a little bit. They buy us flowers for Mother's day (it's tomorrow) and give us many kisses. Then we hop on the metro to get to our next location.
After quite some walking, we find the new location of the passport/visa part of the ministry of justice. It also happens to be the place where refugees and others are registering. So there are like 10 times as many people. But we find our line and begin to wait. Take note, lines in Georgia do not resemble actual lines by any means. This requires vigilance, always being ready to inform newcomers who the last person in "line" is.. otherwise you will get cut in front of again and again. We get up to the desk and begin to explain our goal (apply for a longer visa) and ask how we can do this. After quite some discussion, (she wanted to send us to yet another location, but I pretty much refused... and it turns out that she was the one who could help us, but I think she wanted to send work somewhere else if she could... which is understandable because there were really a lot of people), we are sent to pay a fee for the visa at a local bank (180 lari). We go to the bank, wait in line, pay the fee, return to the new ministry of justice and see that the line has increased significantly, but take our position at the end. We wait for a while, and then are noticed by the lady who had been helping us--she calls us over. She shows me the letter I have stating that I'm working with Axalgazrdoba Miznit (Youth With a Mission) and shows me a few things that need to be changed... even though this is the same letter that I used and that worked for my last long term visa...
Problem 2.
I live quite far away, so we jump into a taxi and head to my house to type in the corrections and print out a new letter. We then jump into another taxi and head to my directors house so that he can sign it and stamp it with our official organization stamp. Then I hop back into that same taxi (he waited with Maia in the car) and head back to the new location of the visa/passport part of the ministry of justice and see that the line has stayed just as large as before. But we take our place at the end again.
By this time I was quite exhausted, Maia was feeling carsick from all these quick taxi rides and the ministry was supposed to close in like an hour and a half.... so I was SO hoping that things would work out okay.
After some time, I make it to the front of the "line" and proudly display my new, corrected letter. The lady reads it and then looks at me with a significant amount of pity in her eyes, and shows me that there is still a mistake... it was not clearly explained how to change this mistake, so Maia begins to defend her translation and I begin to beg her to take it in spite of the small error (and it was SUCH a small error, quite irrelevant to my visa application). The lady, filled with mercy, called one of her coworkers and checked to see if it would make a big problem for me if I turned in that document as is. They said that it would be fine and I was so ecstatically relieved.
Almost problem 3.
Then she continues with application process and begins to input my information into the computer. She asks me what my position is in the organization and I say that I'm just a staff person. But she can't understand exactly what that means. She asks if I'm a manager or assistant, and I say no, I'm just a staff worker. She still is puzzled as to what to write in that blank, and so the 10 people waiting in "line" behind me begin to all chime in (it's the Georgian way of resolving conflicts) and she eventually decides to leave it blank. Then she begins to upload my visa picture into the computer, and we discover that the guy at the picture place didn't put the cropped version on the disc... so I beg her to please please just crop it on her computer. She again mercifully does.
Almost problems 4 and 5.
And about 6 hours after beginning our journey, and after asking the kind lady that helped me again and again if all things would be approved, I hold in my hand the confirmation paper that my application was received.
(this is where I breath a sigh of relief).
So, hopefully by April 1st I will have my resident visa. I have no idea how long it will be for-- 1 year or 5 years. And she said that if there are any problems, she will call me-- but let's hope that doesn't happen.
And, this was my day!
(Georgia, I still love you in spite of your sometimes deterring and problematic quirks.)
By the way, this story might be painful to read for the grammatically proficient.
I gathered all my papers and headed downtown to meet Maia, who would be helping me with translation and such. Our first stop was to find a good translation/notary place to translate and notarize my passport. Dropped off the papers. Next, visa pictures. Done fast, and pretty good (is it even possible to take a photogenic passport/visa photo?). We then headed to a leisurely stop at a coffee shop while my passport was being translated. Drank some tea and ate some sandwiches. Then off to pick up the passport translation which was done very well. Good. Next off to the ministry of justice to begin the application process. We walk into the building and notice that there aren't many people there... we think: 'Good for us! This will be done quickly!' We get up to the man sitting behind the desk and are informed that the visa/passport part of the ministry of justice has been moved to another (distant) location.
Problem 1.
This was not, however, insurmountable. We stop off at McDonald's for a bathroom break (clean bathrooms all over the world). Then we run into some of the street kids that I work with, and talk with them for a little bit. They buy us flowers for Mother's day (it's tomorrow) and give us many kisses. Then we hop on the metro to get to our next location.
After quite some walking, we find the new location of the passport/visa part of the ministry of justice. It also happens to be the place where refugees and others are registering. So there are like 10 times as many people. But we find our line and begin to wait. Take note, lines in Georgia do not resemble actual lines by any means. This requires vigilance, always being ready to inform newcomers who the last person in "line" is.. otherwise you will get cut in front of again and again. We get up to the desk and begin to explain our goal (apply for a longer visa) and ask how we can do this. After quite some discussion, (she wanted to send us to yet another location, but I pretty much refused... and it turns out that she was the one who could help us, but I think she wanted to send work somewhere else if she could... which is understandable because there were really a lot of people), we are sent to pay a fee for the visa at a local bank (180 lari). We go to the bank, wait in line, pay the fee, return to the new ministry of justice and see that the line has increased significantly, but take our position at the end. We wait for a while, and then are noticed by the lady who had been helping us--she calls us over. She shows me the letter I have stating that I'm working with Axalgazrdoba Miznit (Youth With a Mission) and shows me a few things that need to be changed... even though this is the same letter that I used and that worked for my last long term visa...
Problem 2.
I live quite far away, so we jump into a taxi and head to my house to type in the corrections and print out a new letter. We then jump into another taxi and head to my directors house so that he can sign it and stamp it with our official organization stamp. Then I hop back into that same taxi (he waited with Maia in the car) and head back to the new location of the visa/passport part of the ministry of justice and see that the line has stayed just as large as before. But we take our place at the end again.
By this time I was quite exhausted, Maia was feeling carsick from all these quick taxi rides and the ministry was supposed to close in like an hour and a half.... so I was SO hoping that things would work out okay.
After some time, I make it to the front of the "line" and proudly display my new, corrected letter. The lady reads it and then looks at me with a significant amount of pity in her eyes, and shows me that there is still a mistake... it was not clearly explained how to change this mistake, so Maia begins to defend her translation and I begin to beg her to take it in spite of the small error (and it was SUCH a small error, quite irrelevant to my visa application). The lady, filled with mercy, called one of her coworkers and checked to see if it would make a big problem for me if I turned in that document as is. They said that it would be fine and I was so ecstatically relieved.
Almost problem 3.
Then she continues with application process and begins to input my information into the computer. She asks me what my position is in the organization and I say that I'm just a staff person. But she can't understand exactly what that means. She asks if I'm a manager or assistant, and I say no, I'm just a staff worker. She still is puzzled as to what to write in that blank, and so the 10 people waiting in "line" behind me begin to all chime in (it's the Georgian way of resolving conflicts) and she eventually decides to leave it blank. Then she begins to upload my visa picture into the computer, and we discover that the guy at the picture place didn't put the cropped version on the disc... so I beg her to please please just crop it on her computer. She again mercifully does.
Almost problems 4 and 5.
And about 6 hours after beginning our journey, and after asking the kind lady that helped me again and again if all things would be approved, I hold in my hand the confirmation paper that my application was received.
(this is where I breath a sigh of relief).
So, hopefully by April 1st I will have my resident visa. I have no idea how long it will be for-- 1 year or 5 years. And she said that if there are any problems, she will call me-- but let's hope that doesn't happen.
And, this was my day!
Sunday, March 01, 2009
naaaaaame droppppping
Hey! I had a pretty good weekend. Went to Gardabani for the children's program, ended up staying the night at my friend Diana's house. Went and saw my friend Tarana's new baby (in Gardabani). Then came back to Tbilisi really early this morning and went to church with some other friends, Dan and Alla. That was pretty exciting, because I pretty much understood what the pastor was teaching.. not all words, but the main idea... and it was in Russian! (which I have not actually studied, just picked up from hearing it so much)... so that was pretty cooooool.
Tomorrow I'm going with Maia to turn in my application and do all the necessary stuff to get my one year (or hopefully two years this time) visa. Then off to visit Tia because it's her 7th birthday tomorrow!
Wow, I'm doing a lot of name dropping in this post. Too bad most of you don't know who these people are, because if you did I'm certain the name dropping really would be worthwhile and effective. :-)
I saw some of my street kids today in the metro (they're begging in the metro sometimes too). I saw how people were like so afraid to be close to them... and I thought it was so strange, because I really don't have any of those feelings at all. And it's so interesting to see how people look at me when I'm talking to them or kiss them (the typical Georgian greeting)... I hope it's some sort of "testimony" to both the kids and the people watching.
So, in honor of my lovely street sweethearts, here are some fo-toes.
Visiting their house (it's actually not a paradox that the street kids have "homes"... they rent small rooms/houses (not very nice, but liveable at least)... they are actually together with their families, many of the kids are related too... but they live this lifestyle of begging on the streets... it's very complicated and I'm only beginning to understand a little bit of it.)
This is the traditional way that they carry their babies (sometimes they have their little sister or brother with them, or some other relative).
Aren't they like incredibly adorable?? Larissa on the left, Esmira on the right.
We had one day where we gave out Operation Christmas Child gifts, and the parents came too! It was SOOO exciting to begin to build relationship with them! If we want the kids' lives to change, the parents have to change first. And up until now, we hadn't really met any of them... so this was a very cool day!
Aslan with his gift.
Tomorrow I'm going with Maia to turn in my application and do all the necessary stuff to get my one year (or hopefully two years this time) visa. Then off to visit Tia because it's her 7th birthday tomorrow!
Wow, I'm doing a lot of name dropping in this post. Too bad most of you don't know who these people are, because if you did I'm certain the name dropping really would be worthwhile and effective. :-)
I saw some of my street kids today in the metro (they're begging in the metro sometimes too). I saw how people were like so afraid to be close to them... and I thought it was so strange, because I really don't have any of those feelings at all. And it's so interesting to see how people look at me when I'm talking to them or kiss them (the typical Georgian greeting)... I hope it's some sort of "testimony" to both the kids and the people watching.
So, in honor of my lovely street sweethearts, here are some fo-toes.
Visiting their house (it's actually not a paradox that the street kids have "homes"... they rent small rooms/houses (not very nice, but liveable at least)... they are actually together with their families, many of the kids are related too... but they live this lifestyle of begging on the streets... it's very complicated and I'm only beginning to understand a little bit of it.)
This is the traditional way that they carry their babies (sometimes they have their little sister or brother with them, or some other relative).
Aren't they like incredibly adorable?? Larissa on the left, Esmira on the right.
We had one day where we gave out Operation Christmas Child gifts, and the parents came too! It was SOOO exciting to begin to build relationship with them! If we want the kids' lives to change, the parents have to change first. And up until now, we hadn't really met any of them... so this was a very cool day!
Aslan with his gift.Friday, February 27, 2009
that would be E-Freight-ah,emphasis on the E
One: I am incredibly incredibly incredibly grateful for my Dad. He helps me with so many things while I'm over here. For example, doing my taxes. It's like taking away millions of degrees of stress for me that he does that. And he's just a great guy in general, really humble and I'm pretty sure he can fix anything (and that's a comforting thought).
Two: I'm also incredibly incredibly incredibly grateful for my Mom. I really feel free to be open and honest with her, and I'm so glad for that. And she cooks really good food. Also, she's funny and fashionable (seriously, when I'm home I "steal" things from her closet).
Three: I'm strangely longing to be in my hometown (Ephrata). Like, SO bad. Not forever, just for a visit. I realized that I didn't really know a lot about it, so I researched some. The population is less than 7,000... the total area is about 10 square miles... it was founded by some horse rancher man and it was named supposedly by a railroad worker who derived the name from the Biblical description of an orchard in the middle of a desert... also, during the settling times (like in the way olden days), it was not looked at as good settling territory because it's a semi-arid desert (this is all according to my friend, Wikipedia). All of these things fill my heart with such like .... almost pride in the fact that I came from this place. I cannot tell you how strange that is. In high school, my biggest desire was to live anywhere but Ephrata. But I guess things change after time.
Anyways, my dear Ephrata (and all of your inhabitants)-- I love you. :-)
And I really wish that I could eat some of my Mom's food right now...
Two: I'm also incredibly incredibly incredibly grateful for my Mom. I really feel free to be open and honest with her, and I'm so glad for that. And she cooks really good food. Also, she's funny and fashionable (seriously, when I'm home I "steal" things from her closet).
Three: I'm strangely longing to be in my hometown (Ephrata). Like, SO bad. Not forever, just for a visit. I realized that I didn't really know a lot about it, so I researched some. The population is less than 7,000... the total area is about 10 square miles... it was founded by some horse rancher man and it was named supposedly by a railroad worker who derived the name from the Biblical description of an orchard in the middle of a desert... also, during the settling times (like in the way olden days), it was not looked at as good settling territory because it's a semi-arid desert (this is all according to my friend, Wikipedia). All of these things fill my heart with such like .... almost pride in the fact that I came from this place. I cannot tell you how strange that is. In high school, my biggest desire was to live anywhere but Ephrata. But I guess things change after time.
Anyways, my dear Ephrata (and all of your inhabitants)-- I love you. :-)
And I really wish that I could eat some of my Mom's food right now...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
t- t- tagged
At first I thought this would be appropriate as a good 200th post (I'm not sure why or how, but I feel like 200 posts is some kind of milestone in blog-life). But then I decided it would be better as a 201st post. Rachael, "tagged" me. Or in other non-blogging terms, has forced me against my will to complete this survey and post it on my blog. All love and good humor to you, Rachael. :-)
And, I guess it's supposed to be in celebration/honor of the new year... but hey, it's only February... right?
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Go to Armenia, eat cow head dolma, take Georgian dance lessons
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I gave up on the whole new year's resolution thing back in high school sometime. I did (back then) make ones like, "lose 5 pounds"... but then I realized that I never even really made a way to reach my goal, and that the goals weren't my goals anyways... they were totally influenced by the people and popular media around me. So, I quit.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Umm, I'm sure many but since I'm already 2 months into the "new year", I'm having trouble discerning this year's births and last year's births... so I'll just stick with the answer-- yes.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Well, actually many people died... but I can't say any that were very very close to me.
5. What countries did you visit?
Georgia (the country), Armenia, Ukraine, USA
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A stronger dependence on my relationship with God to even live life in general
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 8th, it was the day I found out that there was a war in Georgia (and I was there at the time).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying alive?
9. What was your biggest failure?
Selfishness. Pride. Jealousy.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, I had like a million and a half sinus infections.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Georgian resident card (it's like a one year visa) and my plane tickets to Ukraine and "America".
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
God
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Man
14. Where did most of your money go?
To many different things. But I did begin to rent my very own apartment for the first time in August.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
All the ways that God provided for mine and other's many needs... just being totally amazed and convinced of God's activity.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Definitely happier-- letting go and being freed from many character flaws and wrong ways of thinking! And more clearly seeing the hope that is in the future and the joy that is in today!
b) thinner or fatter? Umm.. I think thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Actually, richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Forgiving. Loving. Giving. Trusting. Believing. Seeing each moment as valuable and taking opportunities/risks more. Felt free to be free.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being insecure and leech-like.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my FAMILY in "America"!!!
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
In many ways and forms.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
House. I wish that I could watch it here!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I do my best not to let things grow into hate in my heart. But I can't really think of anyone that I'd be tempted to very seriously hate.
24. What was the best book you read?
I read through the Chronicles of Narnia (all of them) for the first time. It was very close to being a spiritual journey for me and my imagination was totally overjoyed (I seem to spend so much time now reading "teaching" or "informative" books... but it was so nice to read a fairytale... a very well written one!)
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jon Foreman and Lori Chaffer, hands down.
26. What did you want and get?
A new mobile phone
27. What did you want and not get?
A husband
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Honestly, the only movies that really come to my mind are I Am Legend and Transformers. But I can't say either of those are films and I can't say either of them are my "favorites". But I really can't think of what else I saw that was like really monumental.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22 and I was in a village (Gonio) that's like right on the Black Sea in Georgia. We were having our last weeks of DTS outreach. My friends made a party for me and cooked a lot of tasty food. The lady who owned the house we were staying at, did my hair and put makeup on me. And later at night we walked downtown in Batumi and went on the ferris wheel. It was a pretty great birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I cannot say. It was satisfying because I made it through and came out a little more wise.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Umm... "try to be as Georgian as possible".
32. What kept you sane?
People and I'm sure God (even if it I wasn't always going to Him and asking Him to help keep me sane, I'm sure He did many things to ensure that... I know that sounds crazy, but I believe it.).
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
...none?
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Umm, I'm not sure. There are too many spheres of political issues (different countries and such) that I am non-actively involved in... and also, my political views are not all that informed. But I guess you could say that I didn't really like that Russians and Georgians were shooting and bombing each other.
35. Who did you miss?
Well, being in Georgia, I missed a lot of people in "America".
36. Who was the best new person you met?
There were many "best" new people.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
God is bigger than religion.
People are people (and that's incredibly beautiful).
Let little things go and freedom will be found.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"...so why do I worry, why do I freak out, God knows what I need..."
Jon Foreman- Your Love is Strong
And, I guess it's supposed to be in celebration/honor of the new year... but hey, it's only February... right?
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Go to Armenia, eat cow head dolma, take Georgian dance lessons
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I gave up on the whole new year's resolution thing back in high school sometime. I did (back then) make ones like, "lose 5 pounds"... but then I realized that I never even really made a way to reach my goal, and that the goals weren't my goals anyways... they were totally influenced by the people and popular media around me. So, I quit.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Umm, I'm sure many but since I'm already 2 months into the "new year", I'm having trouble discerning this year's births and last year's births... so I'll just stick with the answer-- yes.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Well, actually many people died... but I can't say any that were very very close to me.
5. What countries did you visit?
Georgia (the country), Armenia, Ukraine, USA
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
A stronger dependence on my relationship with God to even live life in general
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
August 8th, it was the day I found out that there was a war in Georgia (and I was there at the time).
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying alive?
9. What was your biggest failure?
Selfishness. Pride. Jealousy.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yes, I had like a million and a half sinus infections.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
My Georgian resident card (it's like a one year visa) and my plane tickets to Ukraine and "America".
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
God
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Man
14. Where did most of your money go?
To many different things. But I did begin to rent my very own apartment for the first time in August.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
All the ways that God provided for mine and other's many needs... just being totally amazed and convinced of God's activity.
16. What song will always remind you of 2008?
Your Love is Strong - Jon Foreman
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? Definitely happier-- letting go and being freed from many character flaws and wrong ways of thinking! And more clearly seeing the hope that is in the future and the joy that is in today!
b) thinner or fatter? Umm.. I think thinner.
c) richer or poorer? Actually, richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Forgiving. Loving. Giving. Trusting. Believing. Seeing each moment as valuable and taking opportunities/risks more. Felt free to be free.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Being insecure and leech-like.
20. How did you spend Christmas?
With my FAMILY in "America"!!!
21. Did you fall in love in 2008?
In many ways and forms.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
House. I wish that I could watch it here!
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I do my best not to let things grow into hate in my heart. But I can't really think of anyone that I'd be tempted to very seriously hate.
24. What was the best book you read?
I read through the Chronicles of Narnia (all of them) for the first time. It was very close to being a spiritual journey for me and my imagination was totally overjoyed (I seem to spend so much time now reading "teaching" or "informative" books... but it was so nice to read a fairytale... a very well written one!)
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Jon Foreman and Lori Chaffer, hands down.
26. What did you want and get?
A new mobile phone
27. What did you want and not get?
A husband
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Honestly, the only movies that really come to my mind are I Am Legend and Transformers. But I can't say either of those are films and I can't say either of them are my "favorites". But I really can't think of what else I saw that was like really monumental.
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 22 and I was in a village (Gonio) that's like right on the Black Sea in Georgia. We were having our last weeks of DTS outreach. My friends made a party for me and cooked a lot of tasty food. The lady who owned the house we were staying at, did my hair and put makeup on me. And later at night we walked downtown in Batumi and went on the ferris wheel. It was a pretty great birthday.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I cannot say. It was satisfying because I made it through and came out a little more wise.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Umm... "try to be as Georgian as possible".
32. What kept you sane?
People and I'm sure God (even if it I wasn't always going to Him and asking Him to help keep me sane, I'm sure He did many things to ensure that... I know that sounds crazy, but I believe it.).
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
...none?
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Umm, I'm not sure. There are too many spheres of political issues (different countries and such) that I am non-actively involved in... and also, my political views are not all that informed. But I guess you could say that I didn't really like that Russians and Georgians were shooting and bombing each other.
35. Who did you miss?
Well, being in Georgia, I missed a lot of people in "America".
36. Who was the best new person you met?
There were many "best" new people.
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
God is bigger than religion.
People are people (and that's incredibly beautiful).
Let little things go and freedom will be found.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
"...so why do I worry, why do I freak out, God knows what I need..."
Jon Foreman- Your Love is Strong
Monday, February 23, 2009
i am a so-so-solar panel
Sometimes I feel like a solar panel. If there is a lot of sunlight, I feel energized and excited about life. If there is a lack of sunshine, I feel quite less excited and energized. I observed this in my character this morning.
Also, right now I'm incredibly sick, along with I think half of the world's population (" _____ is sick/dying/ill beyond description" seems to be a common status update on Facebook these days). I'm trying to stay in bed as much as I can today. It's funny how hard it is... I'm like always feeling like I need to do this, or use my free day in a different way. But when I have like a full work day, I'm so eager to not work and stay in bed. Yesterday I was going to try to stay in bed too, but it definitely didn't happen. I had a great day though [recorded new song, went to church, made biscuits and gravy with my friend Amanda and then watched Pride & Prejudice (the new version)]-- but I think it definitely increased my sickness-ness.
I used to watch The Magic School Bus when I was a kiddo, and I even had some of the books... and I remember one episode, where it was talking about how sickness works. And if I remember right, the stuff that runs out of your nose is like dead white blood cells. Again, I am totally willing to be corrected here. But if that is true, then there is some serious carnage happening inside of my face today.
Also, right now I'm incredibly sick, along with I think half of the world's population (" _____ is sick/dying/ill beyond description" seems to be a common status update on Facebook these days). I'm trying to stay in bed as much as I can today. It's funny how hard it is... I'm like always feeling like I need to do this, or use my free day in a different way. But when I have like a full work day, I'm so eager to not work and stay in bed. Yesterday I was going to try to stay in bed too, but it definitely didn't happen. I had a great day though [recorded new song, went to church, made biscuits and gravy with my friend Amanda and then watched Pride & Prejudice (the new version)]-- but I think it definitely increased my sickness-ness.
I used to watch The Magic School Bus when I was a kiddo, and I even had some of the books... and I remember one episode, where it was talking about how sickness works. And if I remember right, the stuff that runs out of your nose is like dead white blood cells. Again, I am totally willing to be corrected here. But if that is true, then there is some serious carnage happening inside of my face today.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
NEW SONG
Wrote a new song last night, recorded it today. To listen, you can go HERE to my myspace page, it will be the first song that plays.
Here are the lyrics:
Here are the lyrics:
I can't say I own you
And I don't claim to control you
Yet you are mine
I can't say I know you
But I can say I know you
At the very same time
And I'm different than I was
But you're still the same
I'll be different than I am
But you'll remain
Chorus:
You are, I am
Once divided, now together
Divinity and man
You are the truth I seek
You are the one who sets me free
Once divided, now together
You and me
I can't say I've touched you
But I can say I've felt you
Through loving hands
I can say you love me
And I can say I love you
But it's more than that
You're bigger than you were
Or maybe I was blind
But now you're opening up my eyes
You're opening up my eyes
Thursday, February 19, 2009
re-re-responsibility
I have a new title fettish.
We're in the last planning stages for DTS. Actually they feel like the first planning stages, but literally they are the last (we got started a little late on things this year...)! But things are coming along. A month ago we didn't have any students, now we have at least 4 maybe 7. So that's definitely a good change. And our staff has increased from 6 to 9. So things are going quite well actually.
(DTS, by the way is short for Discipleship Training School. It's a program in the organization I work with... if you have no idea what I'm talking about and/or want to get more information, click HERE... no, just kidding. Click here.)
So, today we kind of divided up the responsibilities that running a DTS entails. I've got mine: worship and outreach preparation (and scheduling our weekly outreach locations). I think the worship one is understandable, and the outreach preparation is just getting the students ready to serve in different settings (working with street kids, preparing like testimonies/preachings, and also to kind of prep them for the big outreach at the end of lecture phase).
Anyways, I'm like totally excited about the possibilities of great things that could happen in both of these things I'm responsible for. But I also feel totally like really unable. I realize that I have this problem: I love to have ideas and think of new things, but I struggle so much to bring them into being/action. I think it's partly due to being easily distracted (it can be hard for me to work on one thing for a long time if I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing) and also partly due to laziness (maybe I see that it will take a lot to do what I want, and so I just kind of am lazy and... don't do it).
But none of that is too big or horrible for God to overcome in my character.
And I believe it to be true that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness... and it's my hope that this situation can be a living example of that!
For shizzle.
We're in the last planning stages for DTS. Actually they feel like the first planning stages, but literally they are the last (we got started a little late on things this year...)! But things are coming along. A month ago we didn't have any students, now we have at least 4 maybe 7. So that's definitely a good change. And our staff has increased from 6 to 9. So things are going quite well actually.
(DTS, by the way is short for Discipleship Training School. It's a program in the organization I work with... if you have no idea what I'm talking about and/or want to get more information, click HERE... no, just kidding. Click here.)
So, today we kind of divided up the responsibilities that running a DTS entails. I've got mine: worship and outreach preparation (and scheduling our weekly outreach locations). I think the worship one is understandable, and the outreach preparation is just getting the students ready to serve in different settings (working with street kids, preparing like testimonies/preachings, and also to kind of prep them for the big outreach at the end of lecture phase).
Anyways, I'm like totally excited about the possibilities of great things that could happen in both of these things I'm responsible for. But I also feel totally like really unable. I realize that I have this problem: I love to have ideas and think of new things, but I struggle so much to bring them into being/action. I think it's partly due to being easily distracted (it can be hard for me to work on one thing for a long time if I'm not entirely sure what I'm doing) and also partly due to laziness (maybe I see that it will take a lot to do what I want, and so I just kind of am lazy and... don't do it).
But none of that is too big or horrible for God to overcome in my character.
And I believe it to be true that God's strength is made perfect in our weakness... and it's my hope that this situation can be a living example of that!
For shizzle.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
r-r-random
I got my hair cut quite short the other day-- I like it. But it donned on me this morning as I was looking in the mirror, that it quite resembles some stylish British boy band hair cut. But I like that it's short. I feel freeeeeeee.
I have a cold and my nose is super plugged (though on the pathway to betterness). I'm tempted to be irritated. But I make a comparison-- LAST WINTER: 5 months of misery with sinus infections and zillions of medicines. THIS WINTER: Glorious health sprinkled with the occasional nose issue here and there. And I deny the temptation to be annoyed, try to get some sleep and go on with my life with joy and thankfulness.
Lastly, somehow my neighbors upstairs have morphed from normal, quiet people into annoying cyborgs with insanely loud voices & TVs & friends who do things like drag furniture back and forth in the same spot directly above my head in the middle of the night. I'm trying to be patient. But thankfully, I have these in-canal ear plugs that are amazing in the fact that they can produce the illusion of solitude and peace when there is, in fact, none. It's helpful. :-)
I have a cold and my nose is super plugged (though on the pathway to betterness). I'm tempted to be irritated. But I make a comparison-- LAST WINTER: 5 months of misery with sinus infections and zillions of medicines. THIS WINTER: Glorious health sprinkled with the occasional nose issue here and there. And I deny the temptation to be annoyed, try to get some sleep and go on with my life with joy and thankfulness.
Lastly, somehow my neighbors upstairs have morphed from normal, quiet people into annoying cyborgs with insanely loud voices & TVs & friends who do things like drag furniture back and forth in the same spot directly above my head in the middle of the night. I'm trying to be patient. But thankfully, I have these in-canal ear plugs that are amazing in the fact that they can produce the illusion of solitude and peace when there is, in fact, none. It's helpful. :-)
Monday, February 16, 2009
village
This weekend I went with my friend Diana to visit her grandpa in his village. Here are some photos.
Monday, February 09, 2009
now now
I feel like my life is flashing before my eyes. This is said not out of a depressed state. But a reflective one. I was looking at some pictures from my trip to Armenia like almost a year ago, and I feel like it was a million years ago. Actually I feel even a little bit like it didn't even happen. But I know it did. And then I realize that I'm here now. In the situation I'm in. In the place I'm in. And just all of that together produces this feeling that my life is flashing before my eyes.
Which is interesting. Recently God really revealed to me (through reading the Bible and reflecting on my "heart" (like what I think about things, how I'm interpreting situations, responding, etc.) and recent experiences) that I spend way too much time in the "future"--my idea of what the future could end up being like. I have a huge imagination, and so it's very easy for me to intake all of the things that happen around me and output (in my mind) all the possible results of those things. This could otherwise be called as "daydreaming", but I feel like it's more complicated than that.
Anyways, my point is, I've been wasting time and missing so many things by setting my hope and focusing too much of my time and energy into my totally ridiculous idea of what I think could happen. Just even writing that makes me feel more ridiculous.
So now I'm really praying, and really trying to take action to live in the present time. To take in the beautiful (maybe not so beautiful either) things that happen around me-- in short, to use my time well and full, and to not miss things. I want to become more of an observer and an appreciater and a live-life-to-the-fullest-er... which means so much more than what the words appear to say.
Just a little bit of what I'm learning.
Which is interesting. Recently God really revealed to me (through reading the Bible and reflecting on my "heart" (like what I think about things, how I'm interpreting situations, responding, etc.) and recent experiences) that I spend way too much time in the "future"--my idea of what the future could end up being like. I have a huge imagination, and so it's very easy for me to intake all of the things that happen around me and output (in my mind) all the possible results of those things. This could otherwise be called as "daydreaming", but I feel like it's more complicated than that.
Anyways, my point is, I've been wasting time and missing so many things by setting my hope and focusing too much of my time and energy into my totally ridiculous idea of what I think could happen. Just even writing that makes me feel more ridiculous.
So now I'm really praying, and really trying to take action to live in the present time. To take in the beautiful (maybe not so beautiful either) things that happen around me-- in short, to use my time well and full, and to not miss things. I want to become more of an observer and an appreciater and a live-life-to-the-fullest-er... which means so much more than what the words appear to say.
Just a little bit of what I'm learning.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
ba-ba-batumi
So, I've been in Batumi now for a week, and will be staying until Friday.
We've been doing a lot of different things: visiting university students, playing with kids at the Salvation Army here, visiting with different pastors, we held a conference teaching about missions (what it is and what it's for)... it's been a really great time.
I've had some revelations during this past week.
For one, I realized that I'm not as good of leader as I thought that I was (that was a humbling realization). Just, I still don't quite have this group mentality, thinking about other people and thinking how I can involve them. I want to change this. Or rather, let God change it in me--but work towards it too.
Also, I realized that I'm so eager to serve new people. I can be super helpful in new situations and everything-- but just in my "normal" life, I'm actually quite lazy. And I want this to change to. I sometimes feel like I'm like 2 people, but I want to feel like one whole person all the time, not changing.
Lots of things to think about.
Also, I think that this week was the first time that I ever said to God that if He would have me remain single for the rest of my life, I'd do it for Him. (of course I still want to be married, but before I was 100% opposed to the idea of being single forever...and now I'm just really trying to trust that God knows what is best and I want to do what He asks of me, even if it's something that I'd rather not do. If He asks me, I want to do it).
Lots of things to learn and APPLY in my life. I'm hoping for good changes. Lord, please.
I have a lot of pictures from my time here, but am currently in an internet cafe and not able to upload, so I'll do that when I get home.
Sending my love.
Thursday, January 08, 2009
back
Hey you guys!
I'm back in Georgia now. Things were great traveling. I had like no problems at all, which was awesome! And I'm really glad to be back!
Sunday, January 04, 2009
sweetness
My blog posts come like the waves of an ocean.
That was the first thing to come to my mind when I started to post just now.
Well, I'm down to 2 days until I return to Georgia! I'm getting excited (in the midst of the heart-hurtingness). Tonight I had a "Georgia" party with my friends who went on that first trip to Georgia with me and with some that went on the second trip, and their families. It was small and intimate, but being with those people just really reminds me of the miracles God has performed in my life to bring me where I am now. The things He overcame in me and helped me overcome. Being with them reminds me of that first-love feeling I had when I went to Georgia for the first time. I loved the little shops on the sidewalks. I loved (well, it was a love-hate relationship) the bumpy roads and the crazy driving. I loved the people and the hospitality. I loved the culture and the age and depth of tradition. I was totally love-struck. And it feels really good to remember all that.
To remember my little room that I shared with Hannah in a house full of Georgian women. Where I took my first "shower" without a bathtub or a shower, and where we flushed the toliet with a bucket of water. Where they cooked over a burner that was attached to the top of a small propane bottle. Where I used to sit and sing songs and try to learn Georgian and communicate with Bela and her sisters.
It was such a sweet time. I feel that I was so small and totally oblivious to many things. But it was so sweet.
That was the first thing to come to my mind when I started to post just now.
Well, I'm down to 2 days until I return to Georgia! I'm getting excited (in the midst of the heart-hurtingness). Tonight I had a "Georgia" party with my friends who went on that first trip to Georgia with me and with some that went on the second trip, and their families. It was small and intimate, but being with those people just really reminds me of the miracles God has performed in my life to bring me where I am now. The things He overcame in me and helped me overcome. Being with them reminds me of that first-love feeling I had when I went to Georgia for the first time. I loved the little shops on the sidewalks. I loved (well, it was a love-hate relationship) the bumpy roads and the crazy driving. I loved the people and the hospitality. I loved the culture and the age and depth of tradition. I was totally love-struck. And it feels really good to remember all that.
To remember my little room that I shared with Hannah in a house full of Georgian women. Where I took my first "shower" without a bathtub or a shower, and where we flushed the toliet with a bucket of water. Where they cooked over a burner that was attached to the top of a small propane bottle. Where I used to sit and sing songs and try to learn Georgian and communicate with Bela and her sisters.
It was such a sweet time. I feel that I was so small and totally oblivious to many things. But it was so sweet.
Monday, December 29, 2008
I will never be a light unless I turn myself to You...
My heart HUUUUUURRRTS.
It's just hard saying goodbye for extended periods of time. My question now is, "why can't it get easier?"
I'm not leaving the U.S. yet, but I am moving on from my parents and hometown. And it's not even over there. I'll be in Everett for another week, and have to say goodbye to all those people too. It's so emotionally not easy doing this.
Lord, I need your help. A lot of it. I need reassurance that what I'm doing is valuable and worthwhile, and that there is something greater than the difficulty and pain.
Sometimes I wish I could go spend a weekend in like, Narnia or something. Just take a break from life, not indefinitely... just temporarily. Be totally free from everything (emotions/physical burdens, hindrances, weaknesses, pain).
But I understand that I can't, so I'll do my best to be here NOW. And be grateful for what's around me instead of focusing on the pain and the difficulty. That's what I'll do.
So, in line with gratefulness:
I had a great time in the States. Seeing people. Spending time with my parents. Having fun. Eating amazing food. Continuing to learn some incredibly valuable lessons about God's character and life. I feel like I've been refreshed and have a new energy to do what I was doing before, but with more of me. I love my life. I love what I do. I love the people in my life (regardless of the frequency of our meetings). I love who God made me to be. I love who God is (even though I don't even have a glimpse of the complete image of Him and His character). I discovered some sweet new music. I re-increased my English vocabulary (even though that will be most definitely temporary). I was totally encouraged by peoples' interest and care in my happenings and by their prayers and seeking-God on my behalf.
And I believe good things will continue to happen, even tomorrow. Even in a week. Even in a month. And God will give me strength in spite of pain and difficulty.
Father God, thank you.
It's just hard saying goodbye for extended periods of time. My question now is, "why can't it get easier?"
I'm not leaving the U.S. yet, but I am moving on from my parents and hometown. And it's not even over there. I'll be in Everett for another week, and have to say goodbye to all those people too. It's so emotionally not easy doing this.
Lord, I need your help. A lot of it. I need reassurance that what I'm doing is valuable and worthwhile, and that there is something greater than the difficulty and pain.
Sometimes I wish I could go spend a weekend in like, Narnia or something. Just take a break from life, not indefinitely... just temporarily. Be totally free from everything (emotions/physical burdens, hindrances, weaknesses, pain).
But I understand that I can't, so I'll do my best to be here NOW. And be grateful for what's around me instead of focusing on the pain and the difficulty. That's what I'll do.
So, in line with gratefulness:
I had a great time in the States. Seeing people. Spending time with my parents. Having fun. Eating amazing food. Continuing to learn some incredibly valuable lessons about God's character and life. I feel like I've been refreshed and have a new energy to do what I was doing before, but with more of me. I love my life. I love what I do. I love the people in my life (regardless of the frequency of our meetings). I love who God made me to be. I love who God is (even though I don't even have a glimpse of the complete image of Him and His character). I discovered some sweet new music. I re-increased my English vocabulary (even though that will be most definitely temporary). I was totally encouraged by peoples' interest and care in my happenings and by their prayers and seeking-God on my behalf.
And I believe good things will continue to happen, even tomorrow. Even in a week. Even in a month. And God will give me strength in spite of pain and difficulty.
Father God, thank you.
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