101 Ways to Use a Toothbrush...

Yesterday I found myself on hands and knees scrubbing the grout between the bathroom floor tile with a toothbrush and bleach water because someone (though I don't know who) had spilled something pink (though I don't know what) on the floor. I found it well after the fact, so it had had time to sit and stain. I asked my "housie" about it, but she didn't know either; just said it showed up during the week of camp. So to keep the natives both ignorant and from freaking out (as is their MO at times) I just didn't say anything and decided to clean it myself. Took me 5-10 minutes of scrubbing to get it all up, but I did. And even though the grout is slightly a dull white now, you can't really tell unless you look really hard, so the natives shouldn't be able to tell unless someone blabs (which won't be me 'cause I'm like a vault, baby).

This morning I woke up with a swollen eyelid. It's not completely swollen, so I can see and it opens just fine, but it hurts. Weird. I'll take benedryll tonight and see what that does since an ice pack and eye drops haven't helped so far. Hmmm... I wonder what would happen if I scrubbed it with a toothbrush? Ha ha, just kidding!

My meeting with Nikola went really well yesterday. She was friendly, and shared a lot of things about her life with me. I was surprised by her openness, especially since she barely knows me. Most Slovaks are a little more guarded than that and don't really share a whole lot until they know you well; although, most Slovaks are really blunt, so maybe that's the side that was coming out yesterday. Regardless, I know for me there is no way on God's green earth I would ever be that open if I was meeting with someone who I barely knew! But I appreciate her trusting me and talking with me, and I just pray I don't ever betray that trust in any way. Plus, it gives me more of an idea how to pray for her since some of the things she shared were downright heartbreaking (and that's not a word I use often or lightly as it's a "touchy-feely" word). If I could, I would take a toothbrush and scrub away her life's hurts and pains.

Anyway, nothing else is new here. Just preparing for the Alcoholic Prevention Seminary that starts in a week and a half, working on the yard, cleaning the house, doing as much laundry as possible since we've had lots of sunshine lately, and trying to get everything in order for my visa and insurance. Oh, and praying that I've seen the last of the foreign police for a while since they showed up at the door looking for me last week. Fortunately, I wasn't in trouble and I am working on a "work" visa, so it wasn't startling or out of the ordinary or anything. And they were friendly enough, and didn't ask me to get in the back of their car, or try to write me a ticket, or talk at me so fast I had no clue what they're saying, or were trying to take something away from me (or the people I'm with, rather), so it was all good. And yes, I've had all those experiences with the police here; in fact, my interaction with the police all started back in 2003. I think they've got a radar that says, "Oh, look, Emily's in country. Let's harass her and the people she's with 'cause we have nothing better to do!" (I should go fight them with a toothbrush and see what happens. Can you say jail, anyone?!)

Well, I digress. Here's to hoping you're having a lovely Thursday.

Menumina, do do do do do, menumina, do do do do...

I was on my way to bed and I decided to take this moment to update my blog, which I haven't been very good about lately.

Anyway, the last two weeks have been so great. Week one of the Biblical World View camp went really well. We had twelve students come stay at the house; they were all from the village, and Janet and Charles see them as potential leaders based upon the one-on-one discipling they've done with them. Anyway, they stayed at the house (it's a rather large house) and we spent a week talking about how to view the world the way God sees it, and how to live according to that. Most of the students/youth/young adults are not raised with a basic set of morals/principles to live by, so most of what was being taught is foreign to them. But regardless, the week went so well, the attitudes of the campers were amazing (even when doing back-breaking yard work!), and overall it was thoroughly enjoyable. I loved being able to get to know everyone better and also getting my foot a little more in the door of their culture. I'm looking forward to the challenge, for a challenge it will be!

The second week of camp was more low key. We only had two students who came: one from a neighboring village and another from the Czech Republic. However, it wasn't a wasted week. We watched Focus on the Family's The Truth Project. Now I probably shouldn't be admitting this openly, but I'm not entirely sold on Focus on the Family's stuff mainly because I find a lot of their stuff to be slightly legalistic, but regardless I have to give them some pretty mad props for this lecture series. Granted, I don't know that I agree with all of it, but there was a lot of really great information and it was very well done. Basically the series focuses on learning about the nature/character of God and living in accordance to that (hence why it's a Biblical world view lecture series). So Janet, Charles, their daughter Tina, Martina, myself and our two students spent four days watching/discussing twelve lectures. We took our time and really enjoyed the slower pace of the week.

I'm going through Martina withdrawal. Martina, my housemate for the next year (who I refer to as my "Amerivakian Housie"), is gone until 6 August. She's off getting training for the alcoholic prevention seminar she's leading in August and I kind of miss her. I miss carrying on a conversation through our bedroom wall (we don't actually grace each other with our presence; we just yell through the thin walls instead. It's more funnnnnnn that way!). I miss hearing her bed creak every time she rolls over. I miss hearing her talk in her sleep (okay, that only happened once when I was up until three in the morning, but it still counts!). I miss her laughing at my not so funny jokes and my ungracefulness. I miss her stomping up and down the stairs (it's like I'm living with Big Foot or something at times). And I miss her calling me "moja" while petting my head like a cat. Okay, so I don't really appreciate/miss the whole petting my head thing, but I do miss her. Anyway, I'm looking forward to her return and being able to work with her. She's just great.

Speaking of missing people, I have to say I miss the babies. I got to talk to them today and it was just so wonderful to hear their voices, laughter, squeals and "Crazy Aunty E influenced oddness" through the phone. Just getting to hear about their day from 4000 miles away is just... fun. And I can't believe that my Monkey Baby's twelve pounds now!!!!! Not sure I can handle her growing up so fast! (Next thing I know she'll be off saving China!) Anyway, it was wonderful talking to the kiddos as well as sister one today. We always have such a great time talking and laughing about life together.

Anyway, I start my weekly mentoring with Nikola tomorrow (Wednesday). I'm kind of excited about it, actually. And at the same time I'm... nervous? No, that's not the right word. I've never done this before, so I'm a little... unsure of how to go about this (especially since I'm not the touchy-feely type), but I really like Nikola and I hope this will help me get to know her better. If you think about it, please be thinking of me as I meet with her tomorrow. Thanks!

The Caravan was Swingin' Last Night!

Last night I got my first dancing experience with Gypsies. The guys love playing and singing gypsies songs, and I decided it was high time someone danced! So after much prodding, begging, groveling, and persuading (much to the chagrin of a few embarrassed boys), I got some action going. And it was so much fun. We danced for about an hour, and let me tell you, there are some very fluid dancers amongst the group. It's almost scary watching the fourteen year old girls move their hips around. But then, Gypsies do tend to have natural rhythm and musical talent from what I've observed. Anyway, here are a few pictures of the evening. 

I'm teaching Tono how to waltz (sort of), which was hilarious because he was nervous... 

Nikola and David started doing more traditional Gypsy moves...

Domino and Paťa joined in; she was really amazing... 

Tono, Tomaš, Jaro and Miško leading the music and singing...

David & Liduška and Domino & Verona dance while the boys get down in the background...

David and Liduška pulled me into their circle and had me join in on the fun!

What in the...?

Are people really this stupid? I'm sorry, but this article made me laugh so, so hard. Man, what is this world coming to?

Anyway, camp's going well. I hope to have pictures or a video to post as well as an update about what we're doing and how it's going. 

Thanks for the prayers! We're really feeling them answered here and the group of kids/teens attending have been so well behaved and a blast to work with. 

More later. 

World View Camp

Our first of two Biblical World View camps start tomorrow (Monday). We've got about twenty students coming, and they're all sleeping at the house. We go through Friday afternoon, so prayers are appreciated. 

We've been having gorgeous weather here lately. The daily rainfall has finally let up (although I've probably just jinxed it!) and we've had blue skies, huge white fluffy clouds, and lots of sun. It's weird being able to open the windows and enjoy a very cool breeze in the middle (roughly) of July. Yesterday it was cool enough where I was wearing my hoodie for the better part of the day. 

Anyway, must go get rooms ready for tomorrow. Have a great Sunday and I'll catch you all up on how camp goes/went when I'm able. 

There's no way I could make this up

Well here's another adventure for the books, folks. I swear, either God is trying to tell me to stop driving in Slovakia or He's really enjoying a fabulous sense of humor at my expense. Either way, today was another classic "How do I manage to get myself into these situations?!"

Driving to town became a necessity today as we've got people tramping through our door starting Sunday for about two weeks and there's no food in the house. (Janet, Charles and Tina just got back from the Czech Republic late last night after attending a graduation). Janet, Tina, Martina and I sat down to decide on a menu and make a grocery list. Once that was done, Janet and I drive into Brezno together. I drove because I need the practice (obviously after yesterday), and even though it was raining and we had to make one stop, it went fine. We got into Brezno and that's where things got interesting. 

We're on the way to the Mäsiareň (butcher's shop) and we're taking the back roads behind the shop to find a place to park so we can walk there. We spot an open sidewalk with grass, so I pull up per Janet's instructions and park. We're getting out of the car and the Metska Policia (City Police... which are separate from the foreign police, mind you) pull up along side the curb next to us. I knew they were right behind us because we saw them leaving the station, which we passed, right before we parked. I'm thinking they're going to tell us not to park there, so I'm in the midst of saying, "Nemôžeme?" (We mustn't?) when they get out of the car and start talking really fast. They continue to talk to me in Slovak, which I'm not fully understanding, and I'm thinking, "Okay, we obviously can't park here so we'll move; no biggie" all while fumbling around for my passport. Apparently it was a big deal because the next thing I know I'm being summoned to get in their car (it was raining outside) and Janet's saying, "Get in the car; don't be afraid," and all I can think is, My word, they're giving me a ticket! They know we parked here about fifty seconds ago, why can't they just tell us to move?!

I get in the back of the car (it was very clean), not sure if Janet's following or not because she was busy locking our car or something, and they ask me if I'm British. I tell them American to which they go, "Ah, American" with a tone that says, "Oh, that explains everything!" Janet gets in the car and starts talking to the  two policemen, and they're telling her she can't park on any grass or on the sidewalks anymore (new EU rules, apparently) and she's telling them very politely that she didn't know, that it was her fault that I parked on the grass because she told me to, and that we were very sorry, and asking where exactly we should be parking. This goes on for a few minutes while the guy in the passenger seat looks through my passport. After what feels like an eternity, the guy in the passenger seat looks at the other guy and tells him that because I'm American and didn't know why not just let us go this time and not worry about it (I did understand that) and handed me back my passport; Janet and I thanked them profusely as we got out of their car. Janet then moves our car to a permitted parking spot and we walk to the Mäsiareň; as we round the corner we notice the policeman are ticketing someone else who's parked on the sidewalk right in front of the shop. Janet and I were laughing so hard about everything at this point, and thanking the Lord I didn't end up getting a ticket (they aren't cheap). I did drive home later, but let Janet drive around town while we ran our errands. We did a Chinese fire drill to switch seats as we left Brezno so I could practice driving (we were stopped at a red light), which was highly entertaining. The Slovaks around us, both pedestrians and drivers, just gawked and pointed, confirming that we are more than likely borderline certifiably insane.

Anyway, that was my adventure this afternoon. Can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for me! 

Adventures in Driving

Well I accomplished another classic Emily Blunder this morning, only this time in the form of possibly getting myself and Martina killed in the process. I took the car and went to get the milk et al from the farm this morning. 

Wait, maybe I should preface this story with this: I'm currently learning how to drive a stick shift in the mountains of Slovakia; I don't quite  have the hang of stopping/starting on slanting down hills yet. I roll every time. And it's generally rolling in the opposite direction of where I am supposed to be going. Oh, then there's the stalling issue. 

Okay, so back to the story. I had to drive to Hamor, which is within spitting distance of Zavadka. No biggie. I haven't driven past third gear yet as I've only driven through the village, but that wasn't the hard part. It kind of came naturally to switch gears/speed up, etc. I got to the farm and managed to park semi-well on the opposite side of the road (I was on the shoulder). Martina and I go and get what we need, and then we get back in the car. Well, yeah... this is where the fun begins. [Please take note of my sarcasm right there.]

I start the car and I have to turn around and drive in the opposite direction of where I'm facing, I'm on a slight incline, the two-way road isn't that wide, and there's a huge cattle truck in front of me. Martina gives me the go ahead as she can see around the cattle truck better than I can, so I start to go. Power steering on an old Škoda isn't quite what it's like on any of the other cars I've ever driven, so I'm wrestling with the wheel and trying to turn as sharply as I can on the narrow road. I'm in the middle of the road now trying to get the car into reverse and get into a position where I can continue the turn and go forward back to Zavadka. [Now bear in mind that I'm in the middle of a two-way road which is a main thoroughfare in and out of Zavadka; we're not talking back roads, we're talking cars, trucks, buses all going at least 70 miles per hour. And I'm in the middle of the road trying to make a U-Turn.]

Anyway, the reversing goes fine, and now I'm only slightly in the left lane and completely blocking the right lane and trying to get the car back into first gear, which I succeed to do (or so I thought) and then immediately stall out. I start the car again... and stall. Start again, move an inch, stall. This goes on for about five or six tries, no kidding. By this time we've had traffic pass us coming out of Zavadka (who were fortunately able to get around us because I wasn't too far into their lane) but none out of Polomka (from behind us), and I'm shaking and praying out loud while trying to get the car to start as well as work the brake/clutch the right way. Martina's sitting in the passenger seat going, "What's wrong with this car? Why won't it go?" and all I can muster up is "It's not the car. It's me!" I'm almost paralyzed with frustration and fear of being hit by some bus or truck who's not paying attention and then (totally by the Lord's help) my feet do the right thing and we start puttering (very slowly) down the road. Once everything catches I'm able to speed up and switch gears. It was kind of tricky and I realized I might not have been in first gear to begin with, which would explain all the stalling... right?

By the time I got home I was kind of laughing about the whole thing (but that didn't happen until I was pulling onto our street and backing into the driveway) all while thanking God for protecting us. Only now, at the ripe hour of five whatever in the afternoon, can I laugh about it hysterically. I have no idea how traumatized Martina is by the whole thing; she's been sick, so maybe she was so out of it it won't stick in her memory. No need for her to be telling people an American nearly could've killed her even if it was accidental! No, Martina's too sweet for that; she would just blame it on the car probably, even though I could've nearly killed her (and me) this morning. *shudder*

The rest of the day's been uneventful (which I'm totally okay with). We cleaned the house, washed dishes, I made a quiche, we cleaned out/organized/dusted book shelves, washed towels and slippers, and tonight we're watching National Treasure 2 as a wind down from the day. 

Here are some pictures of the quiche. I had a bunch of veggies that needed to be eaten as well as some left over rice and pork chops Janet had made from a couple days ago, so I chopped it all up, mixed it with the rice, eggs, rice milk, seasoning, and tvaroh and baked it crustless. It was so yummy to my tummy. 

Martina wrapped Oliver, the Baldis's cat, up in his blanket during his nap and I couldn't help but snap a couple pictures 'cause it was funny. He was rather perturbed that we were interrupting his slumber and glared at us. My response? Mwahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

I need sleep!

It's much too late here and I really should be in bed. Asleep. Morning comes early with a trip to a farm down the road to buy fresh milk, eggs and tvaroh before it's gone, sold, used up, baked/cooked, served, or whatever else the kindly farmer and his family do with it. 

And yet for as tired as I am I can't bring myself to brush my teeth, put on my p.j.'s and crawl into the bed I still need to finish making. 

It's been a productive last few days. Menu's made for the Biblical World View starting Monday. Meetings had with leaders for the Alcoholic Seminar in August. Preparation half way finished for Kid's Club in the fall. Laminate floors cleaned and polished (by hand, thank you very much). The list could go on and on. Details coming together. Stress hopefully being side-stepped. Sleep patterns consistent... oh wait. 

It looks like I'm being shipped up north (Poland?) for a few days in about two weeks. What that means and where I'm going I have no idea. It was casually mentioned by Janet the other day and she never finished her thought. It's supposed to be some sort of vacation, I believe, after our two weeks of camp. I think it means I'm being taken into the woods to be eaten by a bear! [Where's Dwight K. Schrute when you need him?!] 

Speaking of Dwight, this is the most hilarious thing I've read in a long time. I nearly stopped breathing I was laughing so hard. It's definitely much too late at night. (And by the way, it's okay if you didn't find it funny if you read it.)

So on that note, I'm going to go hit the hay. 

Hello bloggie

I started a new blog concerning my food... whatever you want to call it. Not to worry, I still plan on blogging here about Slovakia and the goings-on, but I figured you guys probably didn't want to hear me whine and complain anymore. I'll try to remember to post links if I blog about recipes I've tried or have posted pictures of the food. [If you're interested in keeping up with the blog, it can be found here.]

Today's been my day off, and a glorious day it's been too. I haven't done anything. I've barely talked to anyone, only left my room to get food, and in general enjoyed myself thoroughly. I know that probably sounds rather hermit-ish of me, but trust me, when all you do is run around and prepare for things, you enjoy some quiet solitude every now and then!

Anyway, I led the first children's church message of the summer yesterday. I think it went well. I spoke on John 8:12 and tried to make it as simple as possible for the kids (not something easy to do with a reformed back ground). I included a visual powerpoint presentation and asked questions to try and get the kids engaged (this is new for them). Janet said she really enjoyed it; I'm hoping to get some feedback from others later this week when we [our team] have devotions together.

I've turned in all the appropriate paperwork into the work office in Brezno, so I'm on the right track in regards to getting my visa renewed. All I have to do now is trak back to Bystrica at some point in time and turn in all my paperwork with the foreign police. Never a pleasant nor easy task! Actually, it's not too bad depending on who you have to deal with at the FP station. 

I decided to be fancy and stream music on my blog, in case you haven't noticed! I've been testing it out a lot today to see how well it works. Let me know if you hear/find any glitches, or if you have any song suggestions. 

Speaking of music, I busted out the christmas albums yesterday. It's just taking too long for December to arrive and I needed some fortification. So I've been enjoying the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (thank you sister one and bro-in-law!) serenade me with favorites such as "White Christmas" and "Carol of the Bells." It's been a much needed therapy session for me, and much cheaper too, come to think of it. 

Well there's so much more I could blog about and my mind's going blank, of course. Go figure! I hope you all had a wonderful Happy American Holiday! (That's what I have affectionately taken to calling the 4th of July as I haven't celebrated it in country for three years now.)

Čau. 

Where Does Time Go?

I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to properly post anything and there's been a lot I could post about. But as usual, I'm in the midst of trying to get ready to head out the door for an excursion to Bystrica today- foreign police, translator, grocery shopping, work office in Brezno, etc. I'll try to catch y'all up on life and the happenings in it hopefully by Monday, which is my day off. 

Later, for now. 

Forgotten Gems on my Cell Phone

I let the kiddos draw on me with marker back in February... it doesn't come off easily, FYI!  

Corkins and "Crazy" Aunty E makin' faces for the camera 

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I noticed Moosers completely lost in his own little world one day...

... and then he noticed me.