Hiding Out

I'm currently in my bedroom hiding out. They have this funny Easter Monday tradition here that boys go ringing doorbells. If you're a woman they douse you with perfume and then expect money in return. So its been agreed that David will answer the door and tell them I'm sleeping. The only problem is, I'm not. Because the luggage dude called and woke me up--and said he's on his way. So now I'm stalking the window waiting for the bell, trying to discern if its a perfume boy or luggage boy.

As eager as I am to partake of the culture, I think this tradition is silly. Edit:: (As silly as a lot of American ones too by the way). Who ever heard of paying for a headache? Which is just what I'd get if doused by perfume. Anyways, I'm told to be thankful. They used to pour buckets of water over women's heads. Not following the logic here. Maybe I should research this.

A Beautiful Day

Sister of the Bride : Checking In

I'm home. My Texas home. The one where my family lives ! ! !

Its great minus the jet lag and sniffles I acquired along the way.

The best part was coming home a week earlier than my family was expecting me. heeheehee.... A lot of people helped me pull it off, primarily the sister's fiancée. If you want to hear the story, just ask.

So Saturday is the sister's wedding. In which I am a bridesmaid and a photographer. Because I love multi-tasking. I'm so thankful my friend Soryn is coming in to save the day as the primary photographer, especially for the ceremony during which its more or less impossible to be both bridesmaid and photographer.

Its rather difficult to choose just what to blog about. During my travels, the people watching was oh so rich in those international airports and I always have these witty quips I think I'll blog later but totally forget about. I did meet some interesting characters along the way and maybe someday that will be at the top of my blogging priorities.

I miss Hungary, but not in the way that I wish I was there instead of here at this very moment. I'm just thankful I get to return.

At every turn I'm fighting instincts that have only been developed in the last 8 months while living in Europe. Impulses like shutting the bathroom door when I'm finished in there, saying thank you in Hungarian to every store clerk, saying hello as goodbye.... because those are all things they do in Hungary. Funny though. I really struggled to remember to shut the bathroom door in Hungary, but here all of a sudden its just a part of who I am.

I hope to see a lot of you at the wedding. If I look a little dazed its either the effects of jet lag, multi-tasking, or all the english speaking going on around me. Just come and shake me by the shoulders-- I'll be happy to see you!

note from the blog admin : yes, i'm aware of the technical/visual difficulties with the blog and am hoping they will fix themselves soon. its apparently a photobucket issue. :)

Be Thou Exalted Over My Reputation

A bit of poetry by Jimmy Needham.

Grandpa

Well, this hasn't been my best week since coming to Hungary. I found out Sunday that my dear Grandpa (whom I lived with in 2009) passed away after having grown weaker and weaker over the several months I've been in Hungary.

Its been so difficult for me to know that he was struggling so, and that I couldn't be there to help or to even say good bye. Prayers would be appreciated, especially for my Grandma right now. (I'm so thankful to those who were there to help!)

Here's one of my favorite pictures of them. Taken during my last visit with them in July of last a year. He was just the best Grandpa. A really big tease, and everyone loved him for it. I'll always be thankful for all that he did for our family.

Can't you see the twinkle in his eye?