Well, I am going to Bangkok Tailand. It is now official. I was going to go to China in June, but well... I like to do things last minute!
I am meeting Matthew and Hallie and my two Neices in Bangkok. I will be there a few weeks, I am going to help out with the girls while Hallie has some stuff done. I am so excited! Even though it is supposedly like 100 degrees there. ICK.
After Tailand I am hoping to go back to China for a while, see where they live, get involved with their work and do a little traveling with Matthew. I know he wants to capture my heart so I will never desire to leave ... well just see how that goes. :)
I will be accsible while I am gone. I will have my computer and internet when it is available. I also have a new telephone number, so write it down. It will direct you straight to my computer, you can leave me voicemails, I can call you back, its pretty sweet. The best part? It is a 503 number so it will cost you nothing to call me.
Hmmm.... So incase your wondering why you are just hearing about this, its because I am too! I just heard the idea like last thursday, then saturday I decided I would go, then last night I found out I was leaving in like 2 days! So I have been running and driving like a crazy lady to day. (crazy as in doing lots of things, using almost a full tank of gas... not crazy like unsafe) I still have yet to pack, and I am leaving tomorrow at noon! AHHHHH.
I am simply excited. There has been no time for pre-conceived ideas. I am just going. So I apoligize if I had plans with you... I guess they are being post- poned. Feel free to contact me the next two days by calling my regular cell, or email me any questions you might have. I am sorry I could not have written you all individually... there is just not enough time. I love you all.
I am leaving tomorrow with my parents to drive to San Fransisco where I will fly out from on Thursday. I will return May 26, then drive home to be here in time for Sharells Graduation. (She swears she would kill me with her own two hands if I didn't show up.)
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Hurting, Faking, Burning, Building, Freeing
All around me people hurt, people hurt
All around me people hurt, and they are crying out... to me?
I see their faces faking it, faking it
I see their faces faking it, but they are burning undearneath.
Every day a wall is built, a wall is built, a wall is built
Every day a wall is built, and I wonder of their hope.
Deep inside I know the truth, I know the truth
Deep inside I know the truth, and the truth will set them free.
1 year
March 10 marked the one year anniversary of me being home. Those of you who know me, know what I am talking about. Haha, its like I judge time by how far before or after it was from Hungary. Maybe I do do that, I judge time by my trips, and that was the biggest of trips. Hmmmm.
Anyways, I was thinking about a year ago, you should go check out some of my blogs from then. I wrote that sitting in the Seatle Airport. In the United States of America. 2 hours from HOME.
Some of it seems pretty silly to me now, what a big deal it all was. I love that I live in a time and culture where traveling is normal, where people dont make any big deal of me saying "I think I am going to go to China." And I am! If all goes well I will be there in June to visit my wonderful family.
When I got home last year, I claimed I would not be culture shocked. Oh but I was, the longer I was home the more shock that seemed to follow. Yes it was all as I rememberd, but I could just not seem to live the way that I had rememberd.
Last year Matthew and Hallie were living here. Zoe slept in the room right across from mine. I spent every day trying to find a job. My friends were all in school. I had no idea what I was doing with my life. Part of me wanted to go back to Budapest. I was pretty lazy for a while, and completely un-motivated.
Well, I have a job (3 actually) and a car, and I have plans for my future, and I am an only child again, and I am busy, and I am absolutly loving life. I have short hair. I am 20. I am starting to gain some authority and leadership again. Heather says I look so much older, I think I kinda do. I still dont like being called a Woman, that sounds like old and ... blah.
Some days, like today, I miss YWAM. I miss the community and the people and the smells and the noise. But I am so happy to be here, it is where I need to be for now.
Anyways, I was thinking about a year ago, you should go check out some of my blogs from then. I wrote that sitting in the Seatle Airport. In the United States of America. 2 hours from HOME.
Some of it seems pretty silly to me now, what a big deal it all was. I love that I live in a time and culture where traveling is normal, where people dont make any big deal of me saying "I think I am going to go to China." And I am! If all goes well I will be there in June to visit my wonderful family.
When I got home last year, I claimed I would not be culture shocked. Oh but I was, the longer I was home the more shock that seemed to follow. Yes it was all as I rememberd, but I could just not seem to live the way that I had rememberd.
Last year Matthew and Hallie were living here. Zoe slept in the room right across from mine. I spent every day trying to find a job. My friends were all in school. I had no idea what I was doing with my life. Part of me wanted to go back to Budapest. I was pretty lazy for a while, and completely un-motivated.
Well, I have a job (3 actually) and a car, and I have plans for my future, and I am an only child again, and I am busy, and I am absolutly loving life. I have short hair. I am 20. I am starting to gain some authority and leadership again. Heather says I look so much older, I think I kinda do. I still dont like being called a Woman, that sounds like old and ... blah.
Some days, like today, I miss YWAM. I miss the community and the people and the smells and the noise. But I am so happy to be here, it is where I need to be for now.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thank you at least
At Outback I noticed that I heard the word "thank you a lot" so last week one evening I decided to try and keep track throughout the evening. At the end of the night, I took my sticky note from my pocket and added up all the random numbers. I heard the phrase "thank you" 208 times within my 4 hour shift. Thats one almost every minute. Now, mind you that those were only the ones that I acounted for.
It just made me happy. It gets anoying yes, and repetitive, becuase with each 208 "thank yous" there were 208 "your welcomes". I answer every one. But, at least it was a decent phrase being exchanged. At least there is a level of politeness left in people. At least it was not F--- and #$@ and "BEEP". At least that. So, it may be a little over used, but at least it is used. At least that.
It just made me happy. It gets anoying yes, and repetitive, becuase with each 208 "thank yous" there were 208 "your welcomes". I answer every one. But, at least it was a decent phrase being exchanged. At least there is a level of politeness left in people. At least it was not F--- and #$@ and "BEEP". At least that. So, it may be a little over used, but at least it is used. At least that.
Friday, March 6, 2009
My Birthday!
So, Yesterday was my birthday. It was one of the greatest days ever.
My cousin Amanda come down and spend the night with me the night before. I was so happy to see her! At 5:30 am, Abbey texted me and I was so excited that I just kept texting her till good after 6. Then I fell back asleep. At 7:11 Heather and Lauren and my Mom came prancing into my room singing "its your birthday, your 20, its your perfect day outside, its raining, its your birthday!" And they were throwing balloons - at Amanda. I had to sit up so they would see which lump in the bed I was. So then we exited the room seeing that Amanda had covered her head with blankets.
Lauren brought me 2 coffees from Starbucks, see bought me 1 but brought me 2. I was happy for coffee seeing I had had less that 5 hours sleep. Then Sharell showed up late and complained that Heather and Lauren did not inform her well enough of the mornings events. HA! So I sat around with them until they had to go to school.
I took work off for the whole day and was pretty excited. My Dad wanted to take me to breakfast but I wasn't feeling much for food seeing I had had Applebees the night before, 2 coffees for breakfast and was in the middle of trying to make a cheesecake. You can still take me out to breakfast Daddy!
Amanda woke up and told me she "hated" my friends for waking her so loudly so early in the morning, ah its all good Amanda.
Her and I got in the car, went to Starbucks (she got me a breakfast sandwich I was not about to have anymore coffee) And we made our way to the beach. I am always amazed at how short a trip it is . So just over an hour later, we arrived and made our way all through the outlet mall, taking stupid videos the whole time. ( I am working on putting all those videos together to put on here. Then I had Mo's for lunch. Yum! Clam chowder and Mashed potatoes (and enchiladas for dinner!) We touched the beach, but it was really cold, then we drove home
At home I started to try and finish my cheesecake, but it ended up a total disaster, it didn't cook all the way and the oven got turned off at some point during the cooking and ya, it was bad... but I will make it again. The the girls came over, Kirsten was my present. :) I put a bow on her. Oh and Amanda made Aaron come too. Always the guy with all the girls, but I miss him. Then Sharells car got Saran wrapped and they started to do the van but someone went outside and they went away. We think they were guys from school who knew where Sharell was... obviously high school guys who still think I drive my moms mini-van. Which I don't. (See blog about car. Which by the way, I did buy... I will pay it off in a few weeks!)
I talked to my sister on the phone. And mommy potter left me a great message on my phone. And Hallie, Esther and Zoe called me through skype and Zoe sang me the happy birthday song and ABC's (mixed which Chinese things) like 3 times! And I talked to my Grammy for 41 seconds and it made me super happy!
Hmmm it was happy. My mom absolutely loved having people over, and giving Aaron food, and listening to us all laugh from the other room. I got a super amazing orange chair, I think I am going to take the cushion back and get a green one though, it is much more practical... but for today I will enjoy the orange.
Thank you Jesus for days where we feel blessed, for days when you shower us with your goodness. I was amazed by your glory yesterday, the rain, the sun, the rainbow, the friends, the food, the happy feeling inside. I know that every day can be like the when I am with you, but thank you for making yesterday especially great.
My cousin Amanda come down and spend the night with me the night before. I was so happy to see her! At 5:30 am, Abbey texted me and I was so excited that I just kept texting her till good after 6. Then I fell back asleep. At 7:11 Heather and Lauren and my Mom came prancing into my room singing "its your birthday, your 20, its your perfect day outside, its raining, its your birthday!" And they were throwing balloons - at Amanda. I had to sit up so they would see which lump in the bed I was. So then we exited the room seeing that Amanda had covered her head with blankets.
Lauren brought me 2 coffees from Starbucks, see bought me 1 but brought me 2. I was happy for coffee seeing I had had less that 5 hours sleep. Then Sharell showed up late and complained that Heather and Lauren did not inform her well enough of the mornings events. HA! So I sat around with them until they had to go to school.
I took work off for the whole day and was pretty excited. My Dad wanted to take me to breakfast but I wasn't feeling much for food seeing I had had Applebees the night before, 2 coffees for breakfast and was in the middle of trying to make a cheesecake. You can still take me out to breakfast Daddy!
Amanda woke up and told me she "hated" my friends for waking her so loudly so early in the morning, ah its all good Amanda.
Her and I got in the car, went to Starbucks (she got me a breakfast sandwich I was not about to have anymore coffee) And we made our way to the beach. I am always amazed at how short a trip it is . So just over an hour later, we arrived and made our way all through the outlet mall, taking stupid videos the whole time. ( I am working on putting all those videos together to put on here. Then I had Mo's for lunch. Yum! Clam chowder and Mashed potatoes (and enchiladas for dinner!) We touched the beach, but it was really cold, then we drove home
At home I started to try and finish my cheesecake, but it ended up a total disaster, it didn't cook all the way and the oven got turned off at some point during the cooking and ya, it was bad... but I will make it again. The the girls came over, Kirsten was my present. :) I put a bow on her. Oh and Amanda made Aaron come too. Always the guy with all the girls, but I miss him. Then Sharells car got Saran wrapped and they started to do the van but someone went outside and they went away. We think they were guys from school who knew where Sharell was... obviously high school guys who still think I drive my moms mini-van. Which I don't. (See blog about car. Which by the way, I did buy... I will pay it off in a few weeks!)
I talked to my sister on the phone. And mommy potter left me a great message on my phone. And Hallie, Esther and Zoe called me through skype and Zoe sang me the happy birthday song and ABC's (mixed which Chinese things) like 3 times! And I talked to my Grammy for 41 seconds and it made me super happy!
Hmmm it was happy. My mom absolutely loved having people over, and giving Aaron food, and listening to us all laugh from the other room. I got a super amazing orange chair, I think I am going to take the cushion back and get a green one though, it is much more practical... but for today I will enjoy the orange.
Thank you Jesus for days where we feel blessed, for days when you shower us with your goodness. I was amazed by your glory yesterday, the rain, the sun, the rainbow, the friends, the food, the happy feeling inside. I know that every day can be like the when I am with you, but thank you for making yesterday especially great.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Romania
Romania was cold. The snow covered the dirty ground. The buildings were old, they reminded me of war. I went to an old castle, what must have lived there once upon a time? I like that the streets were of cobblestone, it felt old… I think it was. I remember the smell of cabbage. I don’t like cabbage… but our Romanian mama made cabbage taste good.
I remember the living room we practiced in, the ugly design on the couch, the decorations that reminded me of the Carriagas house. The TV that played the Disney channel. The kitchen table that didn’t have enough chairs for us to eat at the same time, how we would “share chairs”.
In Romania I wore the same clothes every day, I had decided to bring as little as possible with me on our driving trip. My feet were always cold. My head was always sweaty, I had a really good hat. It was cold in the house, when we got back, I would put my slippers on and race Abbey to the bed where we would jump in our sleeping bags and stay there until it was absolutely necessary to remove ourselves from them. Usually because the bathroom was free, and we all needed the bathroom because of the cabbage (or water, or something wonderful we put into our bodies). I liked the bath tub. If I was privileged enough to get time alone, I took a bath. I liked that bath tub, the water was really hot.
I liked the little room off of the girls room. The room we would go to have alone time. The room where we would write and pray and cry and sleep. The little room where I wrote Christmas wishes to my family, where I questioned my purpose, the room where I waited for God to respond. In that room I saw it start to snow, a gentle answer from God.
We didn’t really like Romania. There was too much politics. We felt we didn’t do enough ministry. We were all eager about Christmas in Bulgaria. We struggled through following leadership. I sludge through nightly meetings, and morning meetings, and afternoon meetings. We practiced our skit for the gazalionith time - and finally…. Performed it. We were annoyed. We went to McDonalds to get internet. I didn’t like McDonalds. I wanted to be home.
I am listening to the song EVERYTHING right now, the skit that our group did in Romania… and I was taken back. To all the smells and flavors and sights and feelings. How our life then seems like a movie now. I don’t want to back time up and have to go through it again, but I am glad I was in Romania. I cant go to a McDonalds without thinking of that safe Haven of connection to home. I cant see a cabbage or red slippers or cobblestone or the Disney channel or snow - not without thinking of my Dear Romania.
After writing and thinking about the whole Anne of Green Gables thing, now I am sucked back into this life… I see how easy it is to be taken into another “world” per say, but the reality is the world in which I am living now. And thank goodness this is the world I want to be in.
I remember the living room we practiced in, the ugly design on the couch, the decorations that reminded me of the Carriagas house. The TV that played the Disney channel. The kitchen table that didn’t have enough chairs for us to eat at the same time, how we would “share chairs”.
In Romania I wore the same clothes every day, I had decided to bring as little as possible with me on our driving trip. My feet were always cold. My head was always sweaty, I had a really good hat. It was cold in the house, when we got back, I would put my slippers on and race Abbey to the bed where we would jump in our sleeping bags and stay there until it was absolutely necessary to remove ourselves from them. Usually because the bathroom was free, and we all needed the bathroom because of the cabbage (or water, or something wonderful we put into our bodies). I liked the bath tub. If I was privileged enough to get time alone, I took a bath. I liked that bath tub, the water was really hot.
I liked the little room off of the girls room. The room we would go to have alone time. The room where we would write and pray and cry and sleep. The little room where I wrote Christmas wishes to my family, where I questioned my purpose, the room where I waited for God to respond. In that room I saw it start to snow, a gentle answer from God.
We didn’t really like Romania. There was too much politics. We felt we didn’t do enough ministry. We were all eager about Christmas in Bulgaria. We struggled through following leadership. I sludge through nightly meetings, and morning meetings, and afternoon meetings. We practiced our skit for the gazalionith time - and finally…. Performed it. We were annoyed. We went to McDonalds to get internet. I didn’t like McDonalds. I wanted to be home.
I am listening to the song EVERYTHING right now, the skit that our group did in Romania… and I was taken back. To all the smells and flavors and sights and feelings. How our life then seems like a movie now. I don’t want to back time up and have to go through it again, but I am glad I was in Romania. I cant go to a McDonalds without thinking of that safe Haven of connection to home. I cant see a cabbage or red slippers or cobblestone or the Disney channel or snow - not without thinking of my Dear Romania.
After writing and thinking about the whole Anne of Green Gables thing, now I am sucked back into this life… I see how easy it is to be taken into another “world” per say, but the reality is the world in which I am living now. And thank goodness this is the world I want to be in.
ANNE
I just finished watching the last of the Anne of Green Gables movies my mom gave me for Christmas. I watched them by myself, I was too impatient to find someone to watch them with. I think my mom was jealous that I watched them late at night without her. (Don't worry Mama, I'll gladly watch them again... anytime... again and again and again...)
I got sucked into the story. Don't we all? I remember being in the play in 8th Grade. I remember being so sucked in, I really believed I was one of Anne's friends. No other story in the world hits me as intimatly as does the story of Anne. I feel I belong on Prince Edward Island, and my boosom friend Diana is waiting there for me to take a walk on the shore line. I dream of once again letting my eyes rest on Green Gables, taking a swim in Barys Pond (aka the lake of shining waters) I am even in love again with the poem 'The Lady of Shalot'
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web of colors gay
She has heard a wisper say
A curse be on her if she stay
To go down to Camelot....
I know, I know... I am a bit of a freak at the moment. But I just ended the series! I am caught up in it all, ok? I have this urge to read the series now, I would have to purchase it of course, which causes another problem of buying more books to replace the ones I have not yet read. In 8th Grade I got caught up in the story, I had to let it go. I had to accept that it was my imagination (at least I have an imagination!). I had to really step back from the story for a while...perhaps that is what I will have to do with this as well.
It is just so good. So pure. So innocent. A story of true love, friendship, and kindred spirits. I admire that my mom watched this with me and Harmony, that we grew to love it... that my Dad can even quote it... and though he wont admit it, I am sure Matthew could tell you of all the scenes of the wonderful plot as well. It is this special movie, that will remain special as I watch it with my friends, and with someday, my daughters, and as I watch it again and again and again. So for now, good bye Green Gables.
I remain yours, Heather ANNE with an 'E'.
I got sucked into the story. Don't we all? I remember being in the play in 8th Grade. I remember being so sucked in, I really believed I was one of Anne's friends. No other story in the world hits me as intimatly as does the story of Anne. I feel I belong on Prince Edward Island, and my boosom friend Diana is waiting there for me to take a walk on the shore line. I dream of once again letting my eyes rest on Green Gables, taking a swim in Barys Pond (aka the lake of shining waters) I am even in love again with the poem 'The Lady of Shalot'
There she weaves by night and day
A magic web of colors gay
She has heard a wisper say
A curse be on her if she stay
To go down to Camelot....
I know, I know... I am a bit of a freak at the moment. But I just ended the series! I am caught up in it all, ok? I have this urge to read the series now, I would have to purchase it of course, which causes another problem of buying more books to replace the ones I have not yet read. In 8th Grade I got caught up in the story, I had to let it go. I had to accept that it was my imagination (at least I have an imagination!). I had to really step back from the story for a while...perhaps that is what I will have to do with this as well.
It is just so good. So pure. So innocent. A story of true love, friendship, and kindred spirits. I admire that my mom watched this with me and Harmony, that we grew to love it... that my Dad can even quote it... and though he wont admit it, I am sure Matthew could tell you of all the scenes of the wonderful plot as well. It is this special movie, that will remain special as I watch it with my friends, and with someday, my daughters, and as I watch it again and again and again. So for now, good bye Green Gables.
I remain yours, Heather ANNE with an 'E'.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wish List
Hey Check out my new little icon to the right. It is my amazon wishlist. (Thanks to Abbey) You should make one too! It is a great way to send each other little surprises of books and other thins. It is a cheep way too, you will notice that all books can be purchased much cheeper when bought used. So you should check out my list, then make a list of your own!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Straw Lady
I was sitting at Shari's last night with Justine. This lady walked from the "lounge" area past our table and we had to stop mid-sentence to laugh. She was wearing a floor length red fuzzy poncho. Wanna be Birks covered her feet and a bus pass/wallet hung from her neck. The outfit was toppoed off with this like straw sun hat. (in February, in Shari's) She walked by a couple of times and we silently giggled. At one point we were just like, "seriously?" it was like the 6th time she walked past us, so I watched. She went to the Atm, then walked back. Less than 10 minutes later, she wa back to the Atm. She was getting money out, playing lotto, then returning to the machine for more money. Each time she took out $40.00. She went to the machine at least 8 times. We suddenly stopped laughing and felt a deep sadness. We stoppoed right there at our table and prayed for her, holding hand with our eyes open, I wonder what other people thought. I dont care. We prayed for deliverence from her addiction, and freedom, and joy. I am happy I dont gamble.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Things that I like
I like...
Cooking
Writing
Reading
Laughing
Grocery Shopping
Typing on my laptop
Organizing my room
Traveling
Being on an airplane
Looking at my passport
Dreaming
Wearing comfy clothes that my friends hate!
Floating in water
Trying new things
Making things for people
Old people
Stories
Treasure Boxes
Kids
Being alone
Packing
Washing my car
Sending letters to people
Watching the news
Rain in the summer
Babysitting
Free things
Playing Cards
Teaching People
Ironing my clothes
Trying to talk with people whose language I dont speak
Learning spanish
Being looked up to
Weddings
Holding babieis
Busy days
Going to the movie theatere
Bible Studies
Small Group Worship time
Orphanages
Homeless people
Sharing a room with 5 girls
European Chocolate
Romanian cash
The Chain Bridge
Open Air Markets
Coffee
Hats
Cabin life at camp
The memory of Sunday mornings
Christmas Eve day's traditions
My Mommy's enchilladillas
My Grammy
Reading about the Holocost
That is is ok that I dont know what I want to be when I grow up
Eating ice cream on snowy days
The smell of old books
Almond Extract
Reading old journals
Barbies
Sitting in my room with candles and worship music
Watching people at airports
Listening to someone play the guitar
Singing
Thinking about things that I like
Cooking
Writing
Reading
Laughing
Grocery Shopping
Typing on my laptop
Organizing my room
Traveling
Being on an airplane
Looking at my passport
Dreaming
Wearing comfy clothes that my friends hate!
Floating in water
Trying new things
Making things for people
Old people
Stories
Treasure Boxes
Kids
Being alone
Packing
Washing my car
Sending letters to people
Watching the news
Rain in the summer
Babysitting
Free things
Playing Cards
Teaching People
Ironing my clothes
Trying to talk with people whose language I dont speak
Learning spanish
Being looked up to
Weddings
Holding babieis
Busy days
Going to the movie theatere
Bible Studies
Small Group Worship time
Orphanages
Homeless people
Sharing a room with 5 girls
European Chocolate
Romanian cash
The Chain Bridge
Open Air Markets
Coffee
Hats
Cabin life at camp
The memory of Sunday mornings
Christmas Eve day's traditions
My Mommy's enchilladillas
My Grammy
Reading about the Holocost
That is is ok that I dont know what I want to be when I grow up
Eating ice cream on snowy days
The smell of old books
Almond Extract
Reading old journals
Barbies
Sitting in my room with candles and worship music
Watching people at airports
Listening to someone play the guitar
Singing
Thinking about things that I like
Things I do not like
Hmmm since I am thinking about things about me, and because Harmony and Hallie have done this, I think I will write about things I dont like... then about things that I do.
I dont like....
dis respectful kids
ADD boys
people who make chewing noises
complaining
pants that show butts
steyrafoam
mice
scremo music
fake people
toys with like one noise
waking up early in the morning
mustard
onions
scallions
pickles
school
being bored
cursing
bad drivers
hot days
being hot
high heels
money
lavender
velvet
TV
Lots of stuff
locks on doors
clothes
slow days
math
disorganized kitchens
dirty dishes
shopping for clothes
I dont like....
dis respectful kids
ADD boys
people who make chewing noises
complaining
pants that show butts
steyrafoam
mice
scremo music
fake people
toys with like one noise
waking up early in the morning
mustard
onions
scallions
pickles
school
being bored
cursing
bad drivers
hot days
being hot
high heels
money
lavender
velvet
TV
Lots of stuff
locks on doors
clothes
slow days
math
disorganized kitchens
dirty dishes
shopping for clothes
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