Well, right now, the sun is literally setting on my last day in Lupeni. My bags are packed and, I am not quite ready to go. I am about to set off and go visit my family, then go to a farewell party from the IMPACT clubs, and then to IMPACT. It's kind-of crazy. I will come back from IMPACT, go to bed, get up, and leave the city.
It still hasn't set in. I am going to miss this city quite a lot and all the joys, challenges, etc. that has happened here. OOOoo the water shut off again today - I guess Romania still wants to sat goodbye and make sure will remember. It was a little inconvienient because we had to postpone cleaning and such for awhile...which, I just realized isn't finished.
Ah!
Home in America in 2 1/2 days.
Peace!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
December 4: 3 days left.
Living in Romania, I have learned, is not for the high-strung. Some part of everyday could be wrapped up in the phrase, “the only thing that is for certain is that nothing is for certain.” Many things have happened in our time here that has completely changed the look of the day, week, or semester completely. Water turns off regularly, the internet is never trustworthy, things break (a lot), messages don’t always reach everyone, and life sometimes seems to run merely on the basis of change. As an American living in Romania, you become vastly aware of all the conveniences we have in the States. Things are more complicated here and every feat (especially if it requires any sort of paperwork) takes a great deal of time and energy.
Lupeni is a city in paradox. It is a desolate valley surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, it is a city where people are disconnected yet rely on each other when something goes wrong, and it is an apathetic city that is slowly working to bring about change. Experiencing this city has been confusing at times because it seems that nothing can be said about the valley without being qualified. There are many great things at work in the valley and even though we have only been here a few short months, we have witnessed changed. We have been able to see the future of the valley through the vision of the Foundation and in the eyes of the youth. We have been blessed in many ways throughout all of our experiences.
On top of everything, we have got to study and work alongside an organization that is the first of its kind; a profound ministry that is revolutionizing things here in Romania. The youth that we are around in the IMPACT clubs, though they may be a minority, are initiating this transformation. They are participating in a movement larger than themselves; a movement that has started here in the valley and is spreading throughout the country and the world, and we were granted to get a peek into its workings.
The first time I heard about Romania and the Romania program I was told to “be careful because Romania is a place that will stay with you, it will get into heart”. I don’t think I could have found this statement to be truer. After living in this city, meeting the people, and working with the foundation, all of the things that could cause frustrations and annoyances have become funny quirks about Romania that I will miss a great deal because, along with all these frustrations come the great blessings that Romania brings.
“You will never be completely at home again, because a part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place” – Miriam Adeny.
Lupeni is a city in paradox. It is a desolate valley surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, it is a city where people are disconnected yet rely on each other when something goes wrong, and it is an apathetic city that is slowly working to bring about change. Experiencing this city has been confusing at times because it seems that nothing can be said about the valley without being qualified. There are many great things at work in the valley and even though we have only been here a few short months, we have witnessed changed. We have been able to see the future of the valley through the vision of the Foundation and in the eyes of the youth. We have been blessed in many ways throughout all of our experiences.
On top of everything, we have got to study and work alongside an organization that is the first of its kind; a profound ministry that is revolutionizing things here in Romania. The youth that we are around in the IMPACT clubs, though they may be a minority, are initiating this transformation. They are participating in a movement larger than themselves; a movement that has started here in the valley and is spreading throughout the country and the world, and we were granted to get a peek into its workings.
The first time I heard about Romania and the Romania program I was told to “be careful because Romania is a place that will stay with you, it will get into heart”. I don’t think I could have found this statement to be truer. After living in this city, meeting the people, and working with the foundation, all of the things that could cause frustrations and annoyances have become funny quirks about Romania that I will miss a great deal because, along with all these frustrations come the great blessings that Romania brings.
“You will never be completely at home again, because a part of your heart will always be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place” – Miriam Adeny.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Go Big AND Go Home!
Wow - can you tell that I am spending a lot of time at my computer -- and trying to procrastinate? I feel like I have posted more in the last three days than in the entire semester.
Yesterday we were driving up a mountain in a van load of people to go skiing/snowboarding for the afternoon in the Transylvanian Alps. We were discussing that fact (the alps) when someone mentioned that this was quite a way to begin my adventures in skiing. Being as it was my first time. Corrina, in the back seat, said "Go big or Go home". I am planning on both. hahaha. I think that is fun.
So.....I have always been looking for that one thing that I am a "natural" at. That thing that as soon as I start, my first try, everything just comes naturally. The feat that I was just made for. As I put on my ski boots I could tell right away that there was no way in heck this was going to be it. My calves are still sore from those silly boots.
Well, I put my boots on and walked up to the cabana with my skis and poles and really got ready to go - though I was not so sure I wanted to still do this. Two things about skiing on straja I feel like I should mention here because, apparently (not that I would really know), these things are different than other places. 1) the ski life wasn't a seat it was this metal disc that you stuck between your legs and pulled you up on a cable like a pulley. 2) The snow we skiied on was about an inch thick...seriously, it was basically Ice. I am told that in the states there are often people working on the snow, fixing this, apparently they even make their own snow. This was not the case yesterday.
So, It only took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to get my ski's on - with the help of two other people. Then, I had to ski about 20 feet down to the ski life. Good Practice. At falling. I moved about two inches before my first fall. I have decided that falling isn't so bad, its the getting up part that hurts the most (maybe thats a metaphor for life...but, I am just thinking about skiing here). I gave up on learning to get up right there because there were many people careening down the slope around me. So, I took of my ski's and walked to the lift. I was quite nervous getting on the lift...there were two guys that helped you on and I already decided I didn't like them. However, when I got there one of the guys wound up being Marian - my host sisters boyfriend/fiance ( I say fiance being as he is building her a house). After laughing with him about how ridiculous I looked and scared I was...he put me on the lift.
Ok- this life felt a lot like I would imagine water skiing to feel like. It just pulls you and you just hold on and try to keep your balance. Well, one of my ski's moved which then made the disc slip to my knees. I was then forced into a bent over position - 90 degrees - thinking I was going to fall flat on my face (nothing new). I decided to try and get the disc back up...but, then realized that everytime you moved your leg the ski moved too. Hmmm...who would of thought? SO, I wound up falling of the lift before the top. When you can't even get the life part right, you know skiing is not your best sport.
Davia was behind me and she stopped, we walked over to the other, flatter side of the mountain and put my ski's back on.
This was just the beginning. There were very many more adventures of me falling - then Marian coming to help me ski - and me falling - and me falling - and me looking at the beautiful scenery (not sure if I have ever seen something so beautiful) and then falling. In the end, I did skii down one of the smaller hills 3 times, pretty successfully...only falling at the end.
I am a little sore today because of all this...
but, it was well worth it!
Yesterday we were driving up a mountain in a van load of people to go skiing/snowboarding for the afternoon in the Transylvanian Alps. We were discussing that fact (the alps) when someone mentioned that this was quite a way to begin my adventures in skiing. Being as it was my first time. Corrina, in the back seat, said "Go big or Go home". I am planning on both. hahaha. I think that is fun.
So.....I have always been looking for that one thing that I am a "natural" at. That thing that as soon as I start, my first try, everything just comes naturally. The feat that I was just made for. As I put on my ski boots I could tell right away that there was no way in heck this was going to be it. My calves are still sore from those silly boots.
Well, I put my boots on and walked up to the cabana with my skis and poles and really got ready to go - though I was not so sure I wanted to still do this. Two things about skiing on straja I feel like I should mention here because, apparently (not that I would really know), these things are different than other places. 1) the ski life wasn't a seat it was this metal disc that you stuck between your legs and pulled you up on a cable like a pulley. 2) The snow we skiied on was about an inch thick...seriously, it was basically Ice. I am told that in the states there are often people working on the snow, fixing this, apparently they even make their own snow. This was not the case yesterday.
So, It only took me about 20 minutes to figure out how to get my ski's on - with the help of two other people. Then, I had to ski about 20 feet down to the ski life. Good Practice. At falling. I moved about two inches before my first fall. I have decided that falling isn't so bad, its the getting up part that hurts the most (maybe thats a metaphor for life...but, I am just thinking about skiing here). I gave up on learning to get up right there because there were many people careening down the slope around me. So, I took of my ski's and walked to the lift. I was quite nervous getting on the lift...there were two guys that helped you on and I already decided I didn't like them. However, when I got there one of the guys wound up being Marian - my host sisters boyfriend/fiance ( I say fiance being as he is building her a house). After laughing with him about how ridiculous I looked and scared I was...he put me on the lift.
Ok- this life felt a lot like I would imagine water skiing to feel like. It just pulls you and you just hold on and try to keep your balance. Well, one of my ski's moved which then made the disc slip to my knees. I was then forced into a bent over position - 90 degrees - thinking I was going to fall flat on my face (nothing new). I decided to try and get the disc back up...but, then realized that everytime you moved your leg the ski moved too. Hmmm...who would of thought? SO, I wound up falling of the lift before the top. When you can't even get the life part right, you know skiing is not your best sport.
Davia was behind me and she stopped, we walked over to the other, flatter side of the mountain and put my ski's back on.
This was just the beginning. There were very many more adventures of me falling - then Marian coming to help me ski - and me falling - and me falling - and me looking at the beautiful scenery (not sure if I have ever seen something so beautiful) and then falling. In the end, I did skii down one of the smaller hills 3 times, pretty successfully...only falling at the end.
I am a little sore today because of all this...
but, it was well worth it!
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Pose means Picture!
The drawbridge...of a Castle!
Me on a pretty staircase in the courtyard.
The castle from a distance.
Ok - so this is on the top of the castle...you know those things where those peoplpe would stand guard..yea, thats those.
This is cool - I would call it a "throne room". guess why.
Me on a pretty staircase in the courtyard.
The castle from a distance.
Ok - so this is on the top of the castle...you know those things where those peoplpe would stand guard..yea, thats those.
This is cool - I would call it a "throne room". guess why.
Biserica Densus - the old church we visited (yes, it is still functioning).
Corrina at the door of the church
At the monastery - Corrina being told that she must wear a skirt.
Rockin the skirt-over-pants. Yes please!
The beautiful scenery
Corrina at the door of the church
At the monastery - Corrina being told that she must wear a skirt.
Rockin the skirt-over-pants. Yes please!
The beautiful scenery
Snowflakes and Christmas lights!
Unlike the North America that I am used to, Christmas lights here did NOT go up on November 26th. In all honesty, I missed it quite a bit. I was told by people that the city lights wouldn't proabably even be turned on until mid-december!!! However, I went for a walk with one of the girls on Thursday and we saw a few shops already decorated. It was enchanting. Then, we came across a shop that was decked-out with Christmas decorations and the like, so we bought some lights. We hung them up. It made my week!!!
Higlights of the past week -->
1) took our last class trip to Hunedoara
2) Visited a really old church - it was cool
3) visited a womans monastery that made us wear skirts over our pants! yes!
4) Ran into an elder monk singing in a cave
5) Visited a castle - YES A CASTLE!!!! A real one! annnnddd this castle was used for the filming of the movie....MARTIN LUTHER! nope, no joke.
6) Got to frolic around a castle for the afternoon - yup, pay a small fee (thank you tuition money) and have free range of a castle. yea....
7) Finished one of my two final papers.
8) Am now heading out to go skiing in the transylvanian alps...
....pictures to come!
Peace!
Higlights of the past week -->
1) took our last class trip to Hunedoara
2) Visited a really old church - it was cool
3) visited a womans monastery that made us wear skirts over our pants! yes!
4) Ran into an elder monk singing in a cave
5) Visited a castle - YES A CASTLE!!!! A real one! annnnddd this castle was used for the filming of the movie....MARTIN LUTHER! nope, no joke.
6) Got to frolic around a castle for the afternoon - yup, pay a small fee (thank you tuition money) and have free range of a castle. yea....
7) Finished one of my two final papers.
8) Am now heading out to go skiing in the transylvanian alps...
....pictures to come!
Peace!
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