Eger

Eger... pronounced Egg-air
I got to go for an overnight stay with Joanna, Will, and Dave to Eger which is wine region U.S.A. (does that even work if you're not in America??) and it was so much fun!  We spent hours just roaming from wine cellar to wine cellar sampling different wines, enjoying the weather, and playing card games.  It was great.  We spent the next day just wandering around for an hour (it's such a tiny place) and then hung out at a cafe until we had to leave.  It was a short trip, but a super fun and memorable one nonetheless.

America!

Just a quick update for you guys!

It's official: I'm moving to Lynchburg, Virginia!

I don't have a job yet, but there are some great opportunities that I am gunning for and really praying about.  Please keep those in your prayers.  I'm giving it over to God and He knows exactly what I need.

The car is my biggest thing.  I need a car as soon as I get home because I will be doing so much traveling as soon as I land to say hello to people before I start new (unknown) job.  So, please, if you know anyone who is selling a great, reliable, and cheap car, let me know!!

My roommate is going to take pictures of the flat soon, so I'll be able to post those, I hope within the next week or two.  It's quite exciting for both of us.

I get to live with Tiffany, which is a HUGE blessing.  We've both always wanted to live together and now we finally get the chance in our dream flat.

God is good. :)

Outlook

I feel like that I haven't had much to blog about lately. Sorry, everyone!  I'm sure that there has been stuff, but I suppose that it just hasn't crossed my mind to put it on here.  However, I had quite the experience the past two days and quite the lessons to go along with those experiences and I wanted to share.

The past two months, I've been having some issues with my heart.  Each time I exercise, especially running, my heart rate soars for no particular reason.  We're not just talking an above average heart rate, we're talking hitting the 190-200 range.  Not ok, especially at my age.  Now, I'm the type of person that will avoid the doctor at all costs...that's how I developed bronchitis last year.  I saw, "I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine" until I'm about dead and then I finally suck it up and go.  Yes, I do realize this is a terrible method..I'm working on it.  But I did this same thing with my heart rate.  I thought that it was something I could work through and my ole' ticker would just work itself out eventually and stop going crazy.  It didn't.  I had a race this past Sunday where I almost passed out and my max finally reached over 200/minute.  I got scared enough to finally head to the doctor.

So, I got my referrals that I needed from my GP and headed to the lab to get all my testing done (blood, urine, and EKG).  Here in Hungary, it's a first come- first serve basis, so you have to get there EARLY to get a spot or else you're waiting for hours.  I woke up, got there early, and got my number and waited. And waited.  Finally, I was called to go "check in" and get all my "equipment" for the blood work.  Well, that's where everything went down hill.  The lady didn't speak English (but insisted on speaking slowly and raising her voice at me like that would help), but I called Joanna and finally we figured out that it just wasn't happening. I didn't have my Hungarian equivalent of an insurance card (even though I had the number), so I had to go home and find it.  I was an emotional mess. I was hungry (since you can't eat before a blood test) and tired and was just fed up.  But, I needed this, so I went home and looked. To no avail.  I TORE APART my flat for over an hour and found nothing.  Called my school and they told me that I'd have to get a new card before I could get to the doctor.  That was a very long and frustrating "adventure" in of itself, but long story short, I got a temporary card that would work for my tests.

Now, I know that this may not sound like a lot to take on or to get worked up over, but at the time, it was a very big deal.  It took HOURS to get anything done and then all in a language I didn't speak or understand.  Frustrating.  On the bright side, the second half of the day was great. I got a surprise birthday gift from a friend, I signed a lease for my flat in America (more on that later), and I got to make s'mores on a real fire with friends.  But I knew that something would have to change by the next day because I'd have to do it all over again in the morning with the right stuff this time.  I emotionally couldn't take another day like that.

Today was great.  Jesus was great.  I woke up and before I even put my feet on the ground, I gave my day to Jesus and told him my cares, concerns, and frustrations, but let him have them.  I promised that I would do my best to stay positive and pray through everything.  MY attitude had to change- Jesus had convicted me of that.  So, I got there early and waited patiently.  I read my Bible and journaled the whole time that I waited.  I was called and all of my paperwork was correct this time, the nurses were quick and efficient and I even found someone who spoke English to help me when I needed it!  My EKG nurse was great, too.  She was super cute and funny.  She tried her best at English and complimented me when I did the same in Hungarian.  God gave me some GREAT verses to reflect on that both encourage and challenge me.  I was in and out of the hospital within 2 hours (which I think is an absolute record) and so encouraged.

I realize that this is a super long post, but I just had to share.  There's nothing that I can do about the Hungarian medical system and all that it entails.  The only thing that I can change is me and my attitude.  I read a quote that said "Utter only words of thanksgiving, rather than complaint".  Those were the words that challenged me, and oh, what a difference they made!

A Bit of Everything

I haven't written in a while for two reasons:
1. Because I feel like there is so much going on, but nothing at all.
2. They changed the blog and I'm still trying to figure out how to write something on here in less than an hour.  They've made it all complicated now.

Anyway, life has been pretty much the same over here.  There has been lots of little things going on, I haven't had much time to post about it.  But here it goes!

Szerenad:
It's a tradition here in Hungary that when the 13th class is graduating, that they go around to all of their teacher's houses and sing outside of the window.  Then the teachers invite them in for a bit and give them something to eat and drink before they head on their merry way.  I had two classes come and do this and it was a lot of fun.  One of the classes sang Happy Birthday to me outside of my window and the other class sang "In the Jungle" from the Lion King because I love Disney so much.  So, it was pretty special and pretty awesome to experience.

Birthday:
I didn't do anything super special for my birthday this year because it's just 24.  I went out to dinner on my actual birthday (May 3) with a small group of friends to celebrate.  It was just what I wanted.  My dad also sent me some money to treat myself to a manicure and pedicure with my friend Joanna.  Joanna and I have now have a 3 year running tradition of pedicures for my birthday, it's pretty awesome.

Balagas:
This is the graduation ceremony here, if you will.  The students get dressed up, stand in a line, and they walk through the school (SUPER SLOWLY...it was painful!) all holding onto the shoulders of the person in front.  The teachers lead and we sing the whole time.  The line of students walks through each classroom where the other teachers and students are there to show their respect for their completion and gives a chance for the 13th class to say goodbye.  Then we all proceed outside where there are a few speeches and then all of the 13th students and teachers release balloons at the very end to say goodbye.  I definitely cried because it's the last day that I'll see my 13th graders in school.  But it was a very sweet send off all around.

Moving home:
So, I'm officially moving home July 9 and I have to say that I'm freaking out a bit about it.  The plan right now, unless a job comes up, is to move in with my dad in Maryland until I can establish myself enough to get my own place.  I have no idea about my future, but I'm constantly reminding myself that I do not need to worry about any of that stuff because God already has it all planned out for me.  Easier said than done, but I'm still working on it.  I will be sad to leave Hungary, but I'm excited to move home and see family and friends again.  It's going to be a very weird last 2 months here in Hungary, saying goodbye for good, but also a very weird few months back in America, trying to reacquaint myself with everyone and the lifestyle over there.  Good thing I have a God that gives constant grace.

Anyway, that's about it. I know it's long, but I wanted to keep everyone updated.  I'll put up pictures as soon as they're loaded to my computer!