My Friend, Viki

"Darling, So it goes...

I enjoy my walks to and from the school very much. This morning this quiet village was even quieter with a covering of dense fog smothering sounds of people beginning to move about and go to work or school.

I smelled someone's breakfast. It smelled like maybe it was muffins. I love seeing smoke curling from chimneys and people riding their bikes to work or walking to the bus stop. Some people are strangers, acquaintances or friends. I have a vivid imagination when it comes to trying to picture the details of each stranger's individual lives.

While I'm walking I often think about how much I feel at home here. Is it ok to call this temporary residence "home" I wonder? I can't imagine leaving and never returning to a place I once called home. And what kind of friends should I be with the people? My heart feels vulnerable because my mind says that to love and lose is worse than ever loving.

Really though, if home is where the heart is, I guess its possible for my heart to be more than one place at once. I'm in Texas with my family. I'm in Mexico with friends. I'm in Oregon with grandparents and friends. I'm in Hungary.

My appreciation for all people is growing. In a way that only seems to come by travel and meeting new faces.

If 2010 taught me anything its that I really have no clue what the future holds, but today I'm thinking about how much I hope it holds new places and new people. I'm not so afraid I'll lose the old anymore.

..I just can't help falling in love with you..."

"Oprah can't explain Him away"

 

Go read the Bible and you'll see its all true. 

Pay attention to every day life, and again... you'll find its absolutely factual.

I'm so peace-full tonight as I go to sleep. The Lord has been so faithful.

I Have Found What Winter is Good For.

 

Me, Rozi & Agi

[ lovers of ice ]

I went ice skating with a couple students last week.

It was the very first time for this Texan and I loved it.

This picture was a couple days later when I tried out 

my new skates on the frozen river .

I'm hooked.

Two Thousand Ten

Every year I think about writing an end of year post. And every year, in my mind, it starts something like ..."This was the worst and best year of my life."

Who knows. Maybe its just because all of the events of that particular year are still fresh on my mind. Or maybe my life is headed towards a climax, with every year increasingly difficult and beautiful. If this is the case, I figure at this rate my 90th year will be off the emotional charts.

As for this year, I can pinpoint the highest point and the lowest, with the highest most definitely being how the Lord brought me to Hungary and all the good things that came with it. The low was ...low. I lived to tell about it however, and the lessons learned will forever be with me.

I think I went through periods of real depression this year, and I didn't realize it until I experienced joy returning. The depression wasn't because of just one circumstance, but a period of questioning. The joy wasn't just in coming to Hungary, but in all those things that the Lord used to make His love and guidance so clear to me. 

...Joy cometh in the morning...

Here's a brief summary of 2010:

January- August 

I worked as an in-home private caregiver for 

several individuals including an Alzheimers patient.

Also my photography business started to sprout wings and fly.

January-March
...Marked two years since I recieved my EMT certification
meaning I had to either re-take the national test or attend
continuing education. I drove an hour twice a week for several
months and enjoyed getting back into the emergency medical scene.
I finished the requirements and complicated paperwork and was
officially re-certified for 2 more years.

July

I took a trip to Oregon and attended a week long 

workshop with the Institute of Photographic Studies. 

Went road-tripping with a friend and visited my
Grandparents as well as the  love of my life-- the ocean.

I also photographed my first wedding and decided it would

most likely be my last, though I did enjoy some aspects of it.

August

My life began to completely change.

I attended my best friend's wedding after which

she and the new hubby moved to Canada. 

I quit my job. I booked a ticket to Hungary, 

received my passport in the mail,  

and a week later found me flying over the ocean.
Met a far away facebook friend face to face. : )

September- October

I began to really experience the joys and trials of a new culture,

new language, new home, new friends, new work, new everything.

November
Traveled by train to Salzburg, Austria. Enjoyed a
couple of days exploring, taking tours, and shooting pics.

Celebrated my 3rd birthday outside of the US in 4 years. 

(2 in Mexico) Its a cool trend I'd like to keep up. ; )

December

Experienced real homesickness but

also the wonderful sights of winter in Hungary.

Ice skated for the first time in my life.

Its difficult to briefly summarize a whole year, but I think that pretty much covers the big bloggable stuff. I'm full of praise to the Lord for all the things He has done. Here's to 2011. May it be a year of growth and service. HAPPY NEW YEAR!