Maybe not.

I knew when I said it, I'd regret it. The very same day that I got all Spring-happy, a storm came crashing in and we got snow! It was big snow too. It didn't snow a lot, but the flakes were HUGE. So I walked home that night with my leopard print umbrella (courtesy of two wonderful friends of mine) laughing at the irony.

The next morning I woke up to this:
And this morning I woke up to this:
Haha. Needless to say, Winter's not had it's final fall yet. It's been really cold the past couple of days! I'm hoping it doesn't last. This morning I felt like hibernating again. =]

"The times, they are a-changing."

I have had a very rich weekend, full of wonderful experiences. Friday was a little odd. I had to keep reminding myself that it was Easter weekend. The majority of Romania is Orthodox and Orthodox Easter is a month from now. The church we attend (Sighisoara Nazarene Church) celebrates along with the rest of the crowd during "Orthodox easter" and so this weekend was fairly quiet in the way of easter-ish happenings. There are a few churches who celebrated this past weekend, but more on that later.
On Saturday, Nolan, Liam, and I decided to take a day out in the town of Medias at an indoor pool there. We had planned on taking the train both ways, but the train was so late departing that Karen and Maurice graciously drove us. It seems like only seconds after walking in the door the boys were headed for the water. They were so excited. I was too. We hung out in the pool for the majority of the day, only taking a quick break for food. A friend from Veritas came to swim as well and it was great to have their company for the day. Needless to say, by the time we got on the train to come home...all three of us were tired to the max. Liam and I rested the whole way home and Nolan made up for his lack of food whilst swimming. We had a great day together.
Sunday I woke up super early to go to an Easter service with one of the students studying abroad here this semester (Katie). Dorothy had told us that there would be an Easter service at the church "on top of the hill", which means the church at the top of the "German staircase" here in the citadel. It's the highest point of the citadel. Taking advantage of one of the very few churches celebrating at the same time as our American counterparts, Katie and I met at 6:30 to make it there by 7. It was a beautiful, cool and crisp Spring morning. The sunrise painted the sky slightly pink and the birds were chirping. The service was really nice. Although it was all in German (only partly translated into Romanian and then Dorothy whispering English at us now and then), it was moving. We started down in "the crypt" of the church and it was all lit up by candlelight. Then we worked our way up into the sanctuary and stood in a circle around a handmade cross and sang together. After the service there was breakfast at the parish house and I thought to myself "this is exactly what Easter should be like." We all enjoyed a meal of hard boiled eggs dyed red, sweet bread, and hot drinks. The dyed red egg has significance, but I can't remember right now. By the time second Easter rolls around, I'm sure I'll know. It was a lot of fun just to enjoy fellowship with one another, celebrating the resurrection of Our Savior.
After attending the Nazarene service I headed home for a quiet and relaxing day. The family that I live above is Orthodox, so I knew that they wouldn't be celebrating yesterday and that was okay with me. I really enjoy the opportunities I get to be a part of "the Romanian experience" and I know that will come next month.
So Mama and I went for a walk together yesterday afternoon. We walked to the cemetary where she and Tata are going to be buried. I know it sounds a little morbid, but I've got to tell you...in general Romanians have a better handle on death than we do. That's a statement to save for it's own entry. Anyway, it was way up on the side of a hill. And it was beautiful. The weather was beautiful, too. I'm not trying to rub it in for those of you with snow, but the sun was magnificent. I could go outside in just my longsleeves!
This kind of weather always makes me a little antsy. I get this feeling in my bones like I should be doing something, especially outside. I start to wake up a whole lot earlier and go to bed a lot later too. These are transitioning times.

"The Bachelorette Pad"

It's perfect! =]

The world is full of people

There is this thing called egocentrism that I learned about in psychology class last year. It’s said to be a specific stage that kids go through where they are completely focused on themselves and simply can’t understand the existence of other people, or at least the independent thoughts and feelings of other people. A common symptom of it is lack of regard when it comes to feelings. The children assume that the person in the room experiences everything they are experiencing, even their thoughts. Hence, they’ll launch into explanations that seem unconnected and reveal their own thoughts in ways that appear illogical to the rest of the world. “Wow, that kid’s got an imagination,” we all say. Often that’s a true statement and it really is quite a shame that we can’t share in their world the way they think we can. The imagination of a child is something to marvel at. Something I sometimes wish I could have back. I digress, back to the point.
Part of that egocentrism never leaves. It stays with us from the moment we are born to the day we breathe our final breath because it’s not just a stage, it’s built in. The moment the fruit was taken from the tree, our focus came off God and unto ourselves. Part of me wants to stick my fingers in my ears when I hear that again, simply because I am hearing it again. “I know, Lord” I want to say, “stop reminding me and help me fix it.” Then I pull back and recognize the fault of the response. It’s as if God directly points out the fact that I am focused on ME. “No, child” he says, not chastising, not scolding, or being condescending, but filled with love and understanding. And for a moment, things are so clear that fear fills me. I am so lost, so far off from living the way the Lord intended…how can I ever find that trail that is so hard to see. So narrow and distant. I begin to think to myself “I have no idea what I am doing…I really know nothing about being a Christian…how can I focus on others when I don’t have it figured out myself?!”
And then love in it’s most real and raw form always finds me and greets me where I am. Suddenly I find myself at the foot of the cross, humbled by the sacrifice of the Lord. Jesus died for us. How often do I hear that and it goes in one ear and out the other without any kind of true understanding? He died for us so that we don’t have to “figure it all out“. He gapped that bridge. He knows we’ll mess up and that’s okay. He forgives us every single time. EVERY single time. He knows we’re a fumbling, confused, clumsy, and blundering bunch. He loves it. Sometimes I wonder, “does he ever get sick of all of us making the same mistakes over and over again?” Ooooh, grace. That incomprehensible and perplexing thing. Grace. Hm.
I’ve realized over the past year that your whole life you continue to learn. Even the authors I’m reading right now, who write so eloquently as if they’ve got it “all figured out”, don’t! They don’t. They’re on the same journey I am along with the rest of the world. Along with the rest of the world…
Sitting on the train on the way back from Arad, I was trying to read a book, but found my eyes drawn toward the window for the majority of the time. I kept looking out the window and people-watching. We all do it, don’t deny it. I play this game where I single out a person and watch them for some time and then tell their life story (to myself, usually). It’s a pretty fun game when you get going with it, but today it wasn’t a game. Today I realized (for the umpteenth time) there are a ton of people in this world and there have been for a long time. People come and people go through this life like it’s only a flicker of time. And my egocentrism struck me like a ton of bricks. Every person has a life. I don’t know how I can verbalize this without sounding like I am extremely self-centered and clueless…like I am being “captain obvious.” But honestly, how often do we think of others in that light? That they are people who deserve just as much respect as we expect. Who could be going through similar things to us. Who could be facing situations much more than they can handle. Each person has their own family to be a part of (or maybe not!). Each person questions their life and purpose and wonders “what on earth am I doing here?” Each person has their own complexities of life to deal with. Their own feelings to tend to. Their own thoughts. When I think about how much is going on in my life right now, it boggles my mind to think that every person in the world has that. Everyone has to learn to live their own life and decide how they are going to do that.
And it’s right about there that I just want to get on my knees and say “This thing we call life is bigger than me. It’s more complicated and messy than I’m ready to be. It’s not easy and not always fun, yet You give me joy in living it. It is not all about me and I know that I make it to be all the time. Thank you for forgiving me of that and taking my hand to guide me through anyway. Thank you for your patience and grace with one so insignificant as I. Thank you for knowing each and every person’s purpose and loving us so deeply and richly when we are undeserving and ignorant most of the time. Thank you, Lord!”
God chose you to live this life. Delight in it. Live it to the full.

Life is great.

The apartment is great.
Hanging out with Nolan and Liam has been great.
Elderly club is going great.
Been doing a little work in Baragan with Maurice and Eddi, that's great.
Getting to know some of my Romanian friends a little better and that's great.
This weekend I'm going to Arad, that'll be great.
How many times can I say "great" before it loses meaning?
Life's been a blast and I've been enjoying every little bit.

Life is never "the usual"

There is just too much to say!
Let's start from the top. Monday I relocated. Yes, I am now living apart from the Hopkins in a little apartment above the house of our Romanian friends. It is absolutely wonderful and I am really enjoying it a lot! Living on my own has thrown me into a contemplative state of the last 7 months. Of how good they were and of how much growth all of us have done since the beginning of living here. It's also gotten me so excited for the next fourish months of living here and all the new lessons to be learnt. I've already learned some "mini" lessons in the past week. Numero uno: Hold down "flush" nob on toilet for at least 10 seconds. Number two: Never let the water in the shower run unattended to. It will result in at least 2 cm of water on the floor. Number three: Don't drink water from the tap. Enough said. Number 4: Whilst repairing elecrtical things, don't touch parts while said electrical object is plugged in. Will result in a jolt. Number 5(and 6): Never leave the heater on. Load on the blankets at night.
Haha, I'm sure there are more to come. =]
Again, so far, it has been an absolute blessing and a ton of fun. It's a beautiful place. A single room is filled with a big bed, storage cabinets, a stove, a fridge, a table, and it even has a bathroom off of it with a shower! It is the perfect size for me. I couldn't have asked for more.
Last night, Nolan and Liam came over and we had a "slumber party". We watched a movie, played some games, had snacks, and wiggled all our jiggles out before climbing into our big bed all together and talking until we fell asleep. It was quite the setup and we all loved it. Upon waking up this morning, we sat together and ate Lucky Charms and Life cereal, curteousy of several wonderful American people I know. It was great.
I don't know how to put into words what has happened since the team was here, but life has been almost too good to be true. Each day seems better than the last and whenever I think it just couldn't get any better, it does. I can literally feel God's presence day-in and day-out. I can see the work he is doing in and through me, which hasn't always been clear or understandable. It's as though, if only for a moment, I can catch a glimpse of purpose. I feel like I'm on a mountain top, out of the mist and haze that normally prevades. I also know it can't last. The journey down has to be made. But, that's okay too. In many ways, a corner has been rounded and although I know there are difficulties to come and challenges to face on the road that lies ahead, God has restored a confidence in me that will remain.
Praise the Lord, for He is good, and His love endures forever.
In a "future day" (as we say to Liam), there will be a post with pictures of the new apartment and other words of wisdom regarding relocation and living on your own. Until then!
PS: Tomorrow is "Mother's Day" here in Romania. This entire week has been "women's week"! So Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers. And especially to my own (love you!).
I just want to point out that "Men's week" or "Father's Day" don't exist here. =] We women are special. (I love you too, Dad).

Mărţişoare (mart-see-shwa-reh)

Today is March first which marks a Romanian "holiday" or tradition. March 1 is considered the celebration of Spring coming. Throughout this entire week and even today there were stands full of flowers and little pins everywhere. It was especially fun for me because I didn't really have any clue what it was about and my friends had fun explaining and showing me how it works. I spent the day with my friend Sendi. It was also special for her because it's her birthday! She stayed last night and then this morning we made "clatite american" (american pancakes). After that we met her sister in town and walked together to the blocks where she lives. I spent the day there just laughing and relaxing with the Ludu family and enjoying the busyness of a house full of girls. Plus Relu and Sendi's dad. You can't forget the two guys. It was Sendi's brother-in-law, Relu, who fulfilled the tradition of martisoare for all the girls in the house. On the day of martisoare the guys are supposed to buy these special little pins and give one to the girls they love. So, Relu bought about 9 pins and handed them out to all of us. It was so sweet and I was honored! Ha. What fun.
The celebration seemed significant to me also because over the past week it has been in the 20's. Celcius of course (Translation: 60's F) . Ironic because Spring usually doesn't come this early. And now it seems that it has come to stay. Nice and early. It's been absolutely beautiful and has made it easier to get up in the morning and face the day. It breeds more energy and excitement. I have loved it.
What a great day.