: )

Beautiful! Gorgeous! Wish I was there! (with you, of course!)

This is a photo of a portion of Fisherman's Bastion, Budapest, HU - Buda side, Castle District.

...as I'm thinking and praying for my friends in Hungary, their ministry and well being.
: )

Matryoshka

The photos in this post aren't the best...but they are what I have right now. That said...lets go! This post was inspired by and therefore written for my sister Bers. I didn't know she was fond of the Russian nesting dolls until I asked if she approved of my purchasing a set for my niece.


I purchased my first set-the traditional set-from a street vendor in Pecs, HU during my first visit there in either 1998 or 1999, I'm horrible at remembering a lot of things that I shouldn't forget. Ah, well. I try. They are Russian made and I think they're super cool.


The second set I have-the pot bellied set-was a gift from my dear friend Olga. She is from Belarus and gave them to me as a Christmas gift with some lovely hand painted earrings, also from Russia.




When I returned to Hungary last summer (2007) I picked up this magnet at the large indoor market in Budapest.








My most recent purchases, however were made here in the States. While in Leavenworth I found this really great apron. I love my aprons...I'm rather messy--both when cooking and whilst serving. Isn't it just the greatest! I can hardly wait to wear it for some festive occasion!






The other item I found was this German made blown glass ornament. I had not yet purchased my tree ornament for 2009 and I thought this was perfect! It isn't exactly traditional...but I thought it would fit nicely with my eclectic little collection.



What things have you picked up along the way that have turned into a fun little hobby? Not an obsession...but just something that you enjoy and when you stumble upon a new variation it just brightens your spirit??

Photo from a foggy morning

Here is a photo of a spiderweb I took last week after taking Norman out for his duties. It had been a foggy morning, not much in the way of raindrops, though. This is the best of about six tries...and I still don't think it's super.

I just had to try though!

So many little details in the world nodding to our Creator.

Just a couple days later I saw these on my blog-friend, Isadora's blog. Check them out--check out her blog! She's my dose of Hungary every day. :)

Elet Szava, Toalmas, HU: 2009

I think I may have posted this photo before. It is of the yellow castle at Elet Szava in Toalmas, HU--formally known as the Andrassy Castle built in the 1880's. The wooden staircase at the main entrance (on the opposite side of the castle) is a replica of the one in the Paris Opera House.

This photo is of that staircase--definitely not the best photo...but it gives you an idea of what it looks like. Up the stars are rooms that guests stay in while serving at Elet Szava...or visitors during the school year. Through those doors is the Gold Room...so named for the golden painted bits around the ceiling.

The reason I am reminiscing is actually two fold...The first is that this time last year I was at Elet Szava with my two team mates preparing for the end of week banquet.

This was both a fun time and a sad time...it was great fun to get 'dressed up' and to have our supper tables all decorated. It was sad since the kids would depart early the next morning--as would we with most of the other Camp Volunteers from the States for a day of sightseeing in Budapest and Szentendre. Too bad...I blew up my camera charger that morning, so I cannot share any photos from Szentendre...but I can give you one of our supper table from banquet!

The second reason these things have been on my mind is because my good friend Talitha and I are hoping to return to serve at Elet Szava next summer.

Tentatively we would leave on 10 July 2009 for another two week adventure! We will be serving again by helping with the English classes offered at the summer camp. Rather than working with the middle school kids, this time we'll be with older kids. The things we would be working on would more likely be sentence structure and conversation rather than simple vocabulary and basic conversation skills. I know that I am super excited to see what the Lord has in store for Talitha and I. She is in a time of transition as she continues her schooling in AZ as well as working full time. I am struggling with discipline and balance. God is good...and faithful. We both know that if God wants us to return to Elet Szava in 2009...that is exactly where we will be!

Arizona: Day 02

After a good rest I was ready for another day.

I must here interject a great tragedy I've discovered on this trip:

This was the sight that filled my eyes at two, yes two, of locations I frequent whilst in the Vallley. I had already checked the website and the only location shown on the map is located at 40th St. & Camelback. The one above is located right across from the Starbucks I was at yesterday (photo taken then). Typically, this would be where I would want to meet...and if it had been open we would have immediately gone there. The second is at Tatum and Bell in the Basha's plaza. Word on the street all these locations are being re-done in some new way and will reopen a couple of months. Little good this is to satisfy my Dunkin' Donut Desire.

Today...I was headed to Buckeye. I figured 'on the way' I'd stop over at the 40th Street location for some Munchikins and a dozen donuts (I have a coupon--thanks Shan!). Much to my dismay...this is what awaited me:
Oh, the sorrow!

Next trip--Donuts every day!!!

To ease my sadness I went through the Fazoli's Drive through next door and bought four garlic sticks and a small soda. Definitely not donuts...but, the garlicy goodness was wonderful! These are no ordinary breadsticks...they are garlic heaven! Dipped in parmesan cheese--YUM!

Then off I drove to Buckeye. It's really not that far--it just feels like I'm halfway to Disneyland sometimes ;) I happily munched my sticks of garlic heaven and played with the radio.

Radio...a novel concept in autos, no?? I'm sure no one else thinks this way, yet me and my AM only back home found it completely enthralling to have so many listening options!

Soon I was with Amber and Megan doing a lot of not much. It is great to just hang out. Having eaten bread for lunch...by afternoon I felt I needed a bit more to make it thru until supper. Thank goodness Amber had bacon! She kindly cooked it up crispy and wonderful and we snacked.

At this point I'm sure those of you who do not know of my unique dining habits...well, you're catching on. I do, on the whole, eat a well balanced diet. I'm pretty good at moderation in general. There are some wonderful exceptions...like when I travel!

We chat and Megan showed me lots of books and some fun wooden toys she has. Sadly, I forgot to take a self portrait of the three of us. :( I also was hoping for a better shot of the compass. I've ever seen anyone quite as enthralled with this wonderful device. Well, beside me when I'm lost--seriously, how many people keep a compass on them at almost all times!


Early afternoon I began my trek back across the valley. I went the northern route as to catch a couple of folks on my way.

First I stopped at an old haunt...the Coldstone on 83rd Ave and Bell. I enjoyed a Like It chocolate with strawberries while having a lovely chat with Miss Talitha, my traveling companion from my Hungary trip last summer. This is the first time we have had an opportunity to catch up since we parted company in July of last year. All I can say...is I can hardly wait to plan our next trip!!! This photo looks very much like many we took all over HU. Good times...no crushed ice.

To end the day was a quick bite to eat with Chrissy. We met up at Texas Roadhouse. It was good to miss the crowds...and we sat at a very high table. Why this is of note, I'm not sure. We did find it noteworthy at the time, however. The main purpose of this trip is a wedding. Chrissy's to be precise! So this was our bit of hang out time before the festivities begin! It was a good time! (still no crushed ice) This is the second shot I took-after running across the parking lot for I'd forgotten while we were at the restaurant. It is pretty average. I took two because when I snapped the other I had just realised that this was our last girls supper with Chrissy being a single lass! We laughed after the first one...and then looked very happy in this one.

Here is the first one--rather silly on my part, reckon?



Again a nice day. I was pleased to be feeling pretty well--very tired, but well. As mentioned above...it is difficult for me sometimes...knowing there are many folks I really want to see....
Temperature: low-mid eighties with increasing winds. When I post general AZ photos, I have a couple trying to catch the force of these dust stirring events!
Average speed on the roads: 75

Book: Night by Elie Wiesel

I'm not sure how I stumbled across this little book. Actually, I think it was mentioned on a podcast discussing another book, Deathly Hallows (which I'm sure I'll discuss here later). The discussion had turned to the Ministry of Magic and the comparisons that could be drawn between what was happening in that book and what actually occurred in Nazi Germany. Yes...I think that's it. Not that it's actually relevant, but hey-it's my blog :)

This is book one of three in the Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel. The author was born in Sighet now a part of Romania in the Transylvanian region. It is an area that has been claimed by both Hungary and Romania over the years. While growing up there, Sighet was primarily a Jewish community and in 1944 the people were transported out of their town into Poland to the Nazi concentration camps.

This is an autobiographical book about the author being sent to and the time he spent at Auschwitz. After a little research I've discovered the story was initially written in Yiddish in a much longer form. The author condensed the original into this shorter version first in French in 1955 or 56 (I'm not sure). I read an Avon Discus edition published in 1969 with 127 pages. I found this copy in the fiction section of the used book shoppe.

It did not take long to read this book, yet it is overflowing with emotion and detail. It was not overly graphic, rather the accounts of events are very concise. The author is very frank when speaking about his faith...what it looked like before and how it changed during his stay in the concentration camp. It is moving...

Last summer I visited Terror Haza (the Terror House) in Budapest, Hungary. The photographs and very graphic portrayal of the deportation seen there are forever in my memory...while reading this story, those were the images in my head.

I'm not sure if this is subject matter I ever say I "enjoy"...I do however, recommend this book.

Bottom Line: Keeper-in my library.



Important Side Note: I just found out this book is recommended by Oprah's Book club. (this is me rolling my eyes) I do not EVER choose to read anything because Oprah says so...in fact, what she says usually sends me in the opposite direction--immediately. Don't let this deter you...the book was good long before Oprah thought so.

...vocabulary...

Words are brilliant...wonderful...superb little nuggets of joy.

That being said, if you did not know prior to this, I am a word nerd.

Yup, it's true. In many a book of mine you can find a back page filled with words and page numbers where they can be found in context. Continuously open on my computer is my "Cambridge Dictionaries Extras" page where I can look up fine cognates, synonyms palindromes, homonyms, antonyms, malapropisms, acronyms, archaisms and the like with the bonus of being able to hear how each is pronounced--not only in my own American tongue, but also the somewhat more refined English spoken across the pond.

I succumbed to this little indulgence after beginning the wonderful adventure of learning Hungarian. The text I am studying uses the Queen's English a base from which to learn the proper enunciation of vowels and letter combinations.

I guess this fact really leads to the little nugget of thought which inspired this blog in the first place: a Hungarian word.

As you may have gleaned, I adore language. Foreign languages are like big puzzles just waiting to be deciphered. Hungarian is particularly fun since I'm familiar with the country and have friends who are Hungarian and are wonderful teachers!

I purchased a fine little primer by a Hungarian woman that came with learning CDs to boot. So I listen as instructed, repeating lots of phrases and jotting down rules and vocabulary. On the side I'll run through lists of Hungarian words to build my meager lexicon. I stumble upon new words and master less than I'd like...often finding favorites. Usually a word just sounds extraordinary to me, though sometimes one might stand out for some other (just as frivolous) reason.

I have been mastering a list of food words most recently (heh--food--something else I adore!) and I there is this most brilliant word: KRUMPLI. That is a hard 'k', rolled 'r', long 'u' (like "oo' in loop) a short 'm' with a nice "pl" sound ending with a long 'i' (like 'ee' in peep).... krumpli!

It is also the word that is one of my favorite foods...potato! Yummy in stew, french fried--with gravy no doubt, baked or jacket type, broiled with herbs--so many cooking options...and also a commendable toy!! In the photo above is King Mr. Potato Head.

I have quite a few Mr. Potato Head toys...they have accumulated in my office over the years and seem to have overtaken the shelves. I'm sure more photos will crop up around the blog in the future.

Well, I guess this blog also shows what the love words can lead to...someone who is quite verbose. Ah well, if nothing else, I've given myself a few chuckles. Now to work on my grammar and punctuation....

: )

...just plain cold...

My thoughts on the New Year: Just because it is January, I do not believe it is the time to make lofty resolutions and grand goals. Time is time...on and on it goes. I do hope that my aspirations, dreams and intentions intensify, flourish and readjust through time to continue to challenge and inspire me into new adventures :) ::end of that::

This photo was taken at Olive Garden when I met my wonderful Hungarian friends Ildiko and Bela for a brilliant afternoon sharing a meal and lots of stories. I am SO grateful we had the chance to meet up while they were in the states and I look forward to my (eventual) return to Hungary when I will visit them in Toalmas. I enjoyed seeing them more than I can express...and the encouragement and love I felt still lingers. I sure hope the rest of their travels have been great (let me know Ildiko!!).

I love weather (as most everyone knows). I like it all--rain, snow, hail, thunder & lightening--all of it! Please note: wind is not on the list...I don't think wind is weather, it's just irritating. Here in my little neck of the woods we have had lots of fun weather so far this winter. A bit out of the ordinary, there have been a number of days in a row of just sun this week. I don't think I consider sun to be weather either. In my mind sun equates with lack of weather. One thing about sun in the dead of winter...it means COLD! It has been below freezing every night and most mornings all week--in itself a little adventure.

::side note::
I like to talk about the weather. For me, it is not filler conversation. I genuinely care about weather and it usually delights me to see what will happen next and to chat about it.
::end side note::

Alas, my mind seems to draining of thought as it longs for sleep. I do hope to be more consistent in my blogging. I'm not all for putting up my life on the net, but this is a fine place to put up photos or a quick update and if I do muster the motivation to improve things on my googlepages...I can make direction to that from here as well.

Please respond when you stop by...it will keep me motivated and if you bring up anything interesting, it may ignite my brain cells.

mwah!

Stateside...

Well...I'm here in Woodinville, WA, U.S.A. Since my return from Hungary we've been blessed with rainy weather-overcast and cool. I love it!

The photo here to the right is of the castle at Godollo...Queen Erzebet--or Elizabeth--or Sisi as the people commonly referred to her. She was one of the most beloved royals in Hungary.

Hungary is a small country with huge history. I am continually fascinated by the culture that has been formed here with so much influence from others yet with such independence and national pride.
This shot to the left is of 'the yellow castle' at Word of Life Hungary. There is much renovation that needs to be done...but it is an amazing place as well. It is apparently a historical place and renovation will not only be costly...but require going through a lot of red tape.

I also heard tales of WoL Germany...where there are TWO castles and beautiful trees and other examples of creation all about. Someday...someday...

I was bummed not to have more access to the internet while in Budapest...and will be better prepared next go 'round! So many thoughts to share...and photos!

I do pray I'll be able to return to WoL Hungary...and if possible to spend some more time exploring and learning even more of the history and language of this fine country.

Looking to the past, I wonder what the future holds as this place yearns to be fully a part of the European Union...

Honestly so many adventures to tell of...perhaps they will spill out over time. I don't want to bore with silly history lessons or ramble on with my feeble musings :) I did procure some little tid-bits along my journey to assist in learning a bit more of the language...and as always in leaving, I have added at least three things to my "must do in Hungary" list.

Home is nice too.

I've begun publishing some new things on my googlepages. All the Hungary stuff can be navigated from the main Hungary link on my homepage. I'll have to find a new moose to put up front...and I'm still thinking of adding at least one Disney page.

I hope everyone is well...thank you for your prayers. Please keep Word of Life (everywhere, and especially Hungary) in prayer...and the possibility of my return to assist Elet Szava once again. Hopefully I'll be able to catch up with everyone soon!

: )

Friday!

Well, I can hardly believe it is Friday!! I'm on a hotel computer since íi decided not to pay for a wireless card. That means no photos this time around either :(

I will update the Goggle pages upon my return with a few more highlights of this wonderful experience.

Our little team went down to Pecs for about a day and a half and then returned to Budapest on Wednesday. We had such wonderful times over the weekend with everyone at Word of Life---I even learned to cook a few things from Szuszanna (YUM!!!)

Our time away has really given me a greater understanding of the history of the country and source of the national pride that just drips around here. It also sadly gives perspective on how the spiritual temperature of this country arrived where it is today.

Alas, it is time for breakfast...Í sure hope everyone is well!!

: )

T-10 and counting...

29 June 2007 is the departure date for our little team headed to help Word of Life Fellowship with their last week of children's summer camp. They are located in Toalmas, Hungary (check out the link for more details on camp and WoL). During the school year this is the location of Word of Life Bible Institute, Hungary. The camp we will be working with offers special instruction in English, Soccer and Disc Golf! We will assist with the English classes as well as have the opportunity to get to know the kids and staff throughout the days and evenings we are there.

The other members of our fine team are Eric Hegybeli & Talitha Obards. They both attend Baruch Hashem in Anthem, Arizona. The photo here is of our meeting in May with Dara (on the end) who has been great in helping us keep organised as we prepare for our journey! Thanks are due to Baruch Hashem for being our 'sponsor' and Eric for heading things up.

I will be flying out of SeaTac at 1100 to meet up with the team at Sky Harbor later in the day. We then head straight over to Heathrow Airport in London where we have a little layover before embarking on our last leg of the journey which lands us at Budapest Ferihegy Airport about 2300 local time. After our week of camp we will spend some time touring about the country. We're planning to visit Budapest, Esztergom and Pecs...

In this fine technological age we have been informed that wireless connectivity will be available at most every stop. Hopefully I'll be able to post some updates, some fun photos (probably more photos in my google pages than here) and I'll share what I am blessed to see the Lord doing in and around us.

In preparation for this wonderful opportunity to return to Hungary, I've been in prayer and scripture as well...God is ever faithful in revealing truth, for which I am grateful. I really do not see this as a "missions trip", but rather a continuation of the ministry we are called to daily-to serve and glorify our Lord. I continue to pray that in all things, word and deed, that I may glorify Christ...and each of the others on the team as well.

Until next time!

: )