There has been so much going on since the last time that I've blogged that I'll do a quick recap:
Illnesses on all accounts are completely recovered and I have to say that it's very refreshing and alleviates a lot of stress.
We were able to give gifts to the homeless last week and that was amazing. We collected so many things (way more than I thought we would be able to) and we able to give out so many gifts to so many thankful recipients. The bags included: apples, oranges, peanuts, scarves, gloves, hats, socks, toothpaste, a toothbrush, hand wipes, candy, tissues, and deodorant. We met a huge group at one of the train stations where they were all crowded in a warm room to sleep together. The were so thankful and the celebrated even the small things like the hand wipes. It's just so amazing to see how much small things can brighten up the weeks of these people.
Christmas is tomorrow and we're all excited. Joanna's family is here visiting and they brought so many goodies with them. Tomorrow is going to be a great day of just hanging out, exchanging gifts, and skyping with family/friends here and there. I'm really looking forward to it. I have to admit though that I'm torn about spending my first Christmas away from home. Even though with all the stuff going on as of late, it's been almost too busy to be homesick.
Last, but not least, I had a great time with my students the other day when we traveled to Vienna. I also got to hang out with a few of them at my house the night before and it was a great bonding experience. It was fantastic to be able to sit down with them in an intimate setting and just talk with them and continue to build our relationship. They even invited me to hang out with them to get some hot chocolate after Christmas- so I'm really looking forward to that. I've also had the chance recently to witness to one of my colleagues and share my beliefs about marriage, etc. We didn't get to talk about too much because we were under time constraints, but it was a great way to open the doors. So keep praying!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
To Remain or not to Remain?
The question that I have been asking myself non-stop for the past week is whether or not I'm thinking about come back to Hungary next year or not. I don't have to give my answer for a bit longer, but I've started thinking about it and praying about it already. Although I'm currently homesick because of the holidays, that surprisingly hasn't played too much a role in my decision so far. My main concern is finances.
I'm struggling so much with my finances because I've started paying back my student loans. It's tough. I put myself on a really strict budget and I'm trying my best to follow it, but it's really difficult with holidays being around. I know that we're called to rest in God and not worry about anything, but I can't help but to stress out in this particular situation.
As is stands right now, I really want to stay another year. I think that it would be great to go into my second year now that I'm finally settled and have a handle on things. It would also be fantastic to truly build up those relationships that I've worked so hard to establish. But, I'm just not sure if it's financially responsible for me to stay here when I make such a small salary. It's something that's been on my mind lately and something that I've been praying about fiercely.
My students asked if I was coming back next year and I told them that I might not because I don't make enough money and they were so upset. They were like "you're not staying to see us graduate!!!" Although they were upset, I must admit that it made me feel pretty good that they want me to come back. :)
I'm struggling so much with my finances because I've started paying back my student loans. It's tough. I put myself on a really strict budget and I'm trying my best to follow it, but it's really difficult with holidays being around. I know that we're called to rest in God and not worry about anything, but I can't help but to stress out in this particular situation.
As is stands right now, I really want to stay another year. I think that it would be great to go into my second year now that I'm finally settled and have a handle on things. It would also be fantastic to truly build up those relationships that I've worked so hard to establish. But, I'm just not sure if it's financially responsible for me to stay here when I make such a small salary. It's something that's been on my mind lately and something that I've been praying about fiercely.
My students asked if I was coming back next year and I told them that I might not because I don't make enough money and they were so upset. They were like "you're not staying to see us graduate!!!" Although they were upset, I must admit that it made me feel pretty good that they want me to come back. :)
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Improvement
On the health front we are all improving greatly which is a huge deal. We're all on medications of one sort or the other and they are helping a lot. We're still on the road to recovery, but we're doing much better already than we were a few days ago. Unfortunately, I bruised all of my muscles in my right rib cage from my excessive coughing which makes it painful, but that's improving slightly day by day too.
We're all pushing hard for our last week before Christmas break and then we finally all get a chance to rest and relax for a little over a week! We're all so excited for Christmas coming though, it should be super exciting. :)
We're all pushing hard for our last week before Christmas break and then we finally all get a chance to rest and relax for a little over a week! We're all so excited for Christmas coming though, it should be super exciting. :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Health
...or maybe I should say lack thereof. Our team is falling apart medically and somehow it all managed to hit at one time.
I got sick a few weeks ago and couldn't seem to shake the cough that accompanied said cold. Well, after coughing for 4 weeks (with the last week of having my cough out of control because it was so bad) I finally decided to go to the doctor. This was also with much persistence on behalf of the others that I see on a daily basis. I know, I know.. someone hacking up a lung during your whole dinner is annoying to say the least. Well, the doctor didn't know what was wrong with me, so she sent to me a specialist. After spending four hours there and a few tests later, it's officially been diagnosed as acute bronchitis with full blown asthma to accompany it. FUN! So now I'm on 5 different meds and feel like I constantly have an elephant sitting on my chest.
Joanna started getting sick a few days ago and couldn't seem to shake it. Now, this is a big deal considering she's half Asian and has a stellar immune system. So she went to school yesterday to attempt to teach (even though she had lost her voice at this point) and could only make it through her first class. She hit up the university doctor and has been diagnosed with tonsillitis. DOUBLE FUN! So, she too is only medication to see if they can't get that taken care of.
Will is our last sick contestant of the day and his involves his tooth. He had been struggling with some tooth pain for a few days. He went to the dentist and they said that they needed to do an emergency root canal. Even though this came as a surprise, he didn't really have any choice in the matter. So, they operated and sent him on his way with some pain killers. A few days later, at his check up, they realized that the swelling had not gone down and he was still in pain. They gave him some iodine to put into his gum a few times a day to kill any infection that may be causing the swelling. No luck. On his third check up, they cut open his gum and realized that the tooth was dead, the gum was ridiculously infected, and he was in danger of his healthy tooth being infected as well. TRIPLE FUN! Consequently, his tooth was pulled and he's on the mend.
As you can see, we're all pretty much falling apart in one or another. It's strange that it's all happened at the same time and all with very different things... intense things too (it's not like we all have the common cold or something). But, we're all determined to beat this and come out on the other side victorious.. and healthy.
I got sick a few weeks ago and couldn't seem to shake the cough that accompanied said cold. Well, after coughing for 4 weeks (with the last week of having my cough out of control because it was so bad) I finally decided to go to the doctor. This was also with much persistence on behalf of the others that I see on a daily basis. I know, I know.. someone hacking up a lung during your whole dinner is annoying to say the least. Well, the doctor didn't know what was wrong with me, so she sent to me a specialist. After spending four hours there and a few tests later, it's officially been diagnosed as acute bronchitis with full blown asthma to accompany it. FUN! So now I'm on 5 different meds and feel like I constantly have an elephant sitting on my chest.
Joanna started getting sick a few days ago and couldn't seem to shake it. Now, this is a big deal considering she's half Asian and has a stellar immune system. So she went to school yesterday to attempt to teach (even though she had lost her voice at this point) and could only make it through her first class. She hit up the university doctor and has been diagnosed with tonsillitis. DOUBLE FUN! So, she too is only medication to see if they can't get that taken care of.
Will is our last sick contestant of the day and his involves his tooth. He had been struggling with some tooth pain for a few days. He went to the dentist and they said that they needed to do an emergency root canal. Even though this came as a surprise, he didn't really have any choice in the matter. So, they operated and sent him on his way with some pain killers. A few days later, at his check up, they realized that the swelling had not gone down and he was still in pain. They gave him some iodine to put into his gum a few times a day to kill any infection that may be causing the swelling. No luck. On his third check up, they cut open his gum and realized that the tooth was dead, the gum was ridiculously infected, and he was in danger of his healthy tooth being infected as well. TRIPLE FUN! Consequently, his tooth was pulled and he's on the mend.
As you can see, we're all pretty much falling apart in one or another. It's strange that it's all happened at the same time and all with very different things... intense things too (it's not like we all have the common cold or something). But, we're all determined to beat this and come out on the other side victorious.. and healthy.
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