London

Ciao! From Rome! I have made it to my first destination and doing very well. I would like this blog to be a place where you can get short windows into my travels, but not necessarily the complete chronicles. So before I begin telling you about monuments and customs, know that I am sharing just a few of my impressions and experiences. The day-to-day things I may leave out because..well…they’re just day-to-day and what fun is that?

That being said, here are a few cultural tips I picked up during my travels thus far…..
When in England, a "lift" is an elevator. But when you say it with a British accent, it sounds like "left." So if you get directions in England and someone tells you to "go to the left," look for an elevator. That caused me some trouble in the airport.

You wanna know what helped me to avoid further language (because, yes, it is a different language over there.) problems? Thinking in a British accent. It sounds silly, but when I arrived in London, I really couldn’t help myself from doing it. I considered speaking in their accent just to avoid them asking me for clarification every time I said, "Where is the restroom?" instead of, "Hullo, cood yu point mey toword the toilet?" Then images of tea flavored bay water and red coats marched through my mind and I figured I shouldn’t. Although, abroad, a British voice sounds a bit like home. Speaking English is close to American.
I will give you a short run-down of how I made it to Rome (emphasis on short)…

Left Seattle Wednesday evening and flew to London by noon Thursday. Spent a few hours in London. Left for Stuttgart (Germany) that evening. Spent the night in the airport and left the following morning for Prague and then down to Rome. (A note on sleeping in the airport because even an ocean away, I heard half of you gasp for my safety. Yes, it was well lit. Yes, my baggage was locked up and tied to my person or the bench. And, yes, it was in a place where there were plenty of people walking around. Most of these factors contributed to my only sleeping about four hours, but worth it I suppose.)

London was amazing. When I emerged from the dark and dirty underground Tube, I was stunned still. I was in London. When you travel alone, it is much different than with a group. Not only do you learn a lot more about how to travel because you have to do it all yourself, but wherever you go it’s like you get closer to the people and places. In a group, you feel like an outsider because you still have a piece of safe, secure home with you. But by yourself, you are forced to take part in the world around you and you can touch the culture instead of just look at it. I highly suggest it.

However, when touching the cultures around you, make sure to wear kid gloves. I got a curt lecture from one London shopkeeper for not asking for help in finding a hat. I suppose not accepting his twice offered help was offensive. I’ve learned how to follow the lead of those around me.

So, that’s a bit of London and my general travels. Enjoy the pictures. If my postings sound out of order, it’s because I am catching you up on half a week of events in one shot at internet connection. Ciao, Ciao!

Leaving the States

(Written during my last moments in the States.) As the plane takes off, I cry. Surprisingly, it isn’t for any particular person or group of people. No, I have already shed those tears. I cry for my country. I know it sounds silly and romantic, but when you know that you will not be back for a long time, that last moment before the back wheels leave the ground is one you won’t readily forget. I long for my country and everything that makes it what it is: cowboys and pride in our flag. I love this country. I love this country and I’m going to miss it. Nothing specific, but it is my home. Was home? No, is home. I will miss it.

I ain't no Sabrina

Got a haircut. Thought you might want to see it before I get back from Europe and get accused of pulling a Sabrina stunt. (That's for you, Kari;))

How do you say "latte" in German?

I just received an e-mail from my cooperating teacher in Germany and guess how many students are in the classroom I'll be teaching in? No, really, guess....fifteen! How stinkin' awesome is that!? He sounds like a great teacher. He says that he has some units that he's been saving for us to do when I arrive. I was planning on getting into the rythm of how to do this teaching thing before I dove into major unit plans...apparently God and my cooperating teacher (Dan) had different plans.

So, I leave in less than a week and you want to know my latest fear? Language. Terrorists blowing up the plane-no worries. Uprooting and moving to a new continent for five months-not a problem. But, trying to order a latte in German? That poses a warranted threat to safety and comfort in my little world. Maybe before I leave I can make a t-shirt that reads, "All the German I know is 'yes', 'no', and 'I'm sorry.'" Something tells me I'll be using the third one a lot.

All in all, the westside has all the things that made it home before I moved to Pullman. Rain, bumper-to-bumper traffic...all the time(yeah, the term "rush hour" is seriously misleading.), and more Starbucks' than you can shake a Birkenstock at. I'm at home.

Future plans. I leave on the 27th and will arrive in Stuttgart on the 28th. Not before a seven hour layover in London. Yes, London. As in, the Globe, Big Ben, and double-decker buses. I'm stoked. I will spend New Year's in Rome with the Tellinis (oh, yeah!) then return to Heidelburg on the 4th.

That's what's go'n' on with me as of late. Much love to one and all during this Christmas season. (Yes, I just said "Christmas season." Not "Holiday season." What can I say, I'm a rebel. ) So, Merry Christmas and God bless.

I'm Back

Hello, all! Okay, so this has been quite the adventure. The blogspot service had be locked out of my account for the past two weeks. Frustrating beyond belief! Thanks to Mr. Daniel Rieke, things are up and going again. Yeah!

So, what has been going on in my life?....I finally got my ticket. Due to some complications, it wasn't until two days ago that I bought it. It was kind of crazy. Like, I'm actually going to Germany. Weird. The classroom has been mostly boring. I did get the entire class for almost the entire day last week! I am feeling much more confident in my ability to teach. I can actually do this. Praise God.

I cut my hair. I am actually in Pullman as I write this. It is an in and out visit, just tieing up some loose ends, so please don't be hurt if I didn't get a chance to see everyone. I love you all, buches. Just a quick note for now. I'll write more later.

Baby Wilson

I finally got to meet my nephew! His name is Wilson. Isn't he a handsome fellow. Oh, my heart!

Welcome to my newly created blog! You are welcome to pass the blog address along to people who you think would enjoy an update on my travels and adventures.

For now, I'm living in Tacoma with the Browns (MikelAnn's parents) and enjoying some down time.

Getting out of Pullman was an adventure..... leaving a week earlier than planned, my car breaking down, packing, unit plans...yeah, it was fun. It honestly got to the point between car parts not fitting and other cars breaking down, that I just had to laugh. God told me at the beginning of this that He would take me to a place where I would need his power and provision so then, I would see His power and provision. I am happy to report, that that is exactly what I have been experiencing. I have already seen seemingly impossible situations be taken care of by the steady and gentle hand of God. I guess the next step is for it all to be subtitled in German.=)

I'm totally excited for it all. I miss you all tons! (Except, of course, those of you whom I get to see quite regularly now. But I will miss you, too, soon.) Feel free to e-mail or comment. Ciao.