Christmas Decorations

This is Pat and me after we decorated the tree! Pat is an exchange student here from NY. Because only the crazy Americans would put up a Christmas tree before the 23 or the 24. Here that is one of the traditions, decorations go up on the first and the tree up on the 24 usually. Trees are sometimes themed, usually with a color scheme, but mine is to reflect Christ.

First, the tree itself is an evergreen representing everlasting life as well as just being a tree.
Second, I put apples on the tree symbolizing that it is because of our sin that Christ himself hung on a tree.
Third, the stars not only represent the star at his birth, but also OT prophesy. A star will come out of Jacob bringing strength and judgment. This star will bring an everlasting kingdom and for all nations, peace. (num. 24:17, gen 49:10, Mic5:2) Also in Rev, he is called the bright and morning star.
Fourth, the white circles represent communion
Fifth is the angel garland is for the ones who proclaimed his birth.
Finally, the use of light as a description of Christ is prevent throughout the NT.
This is the wreath that i made out of the decorations that my grandma sent me from home. She is so sweet! you can't see it but some of the ornaments even have my name on them. funny enough i just realized the only thing that my apt isn't decorated with is holly leaves. And the garland that pat made that is above the office door, that girl got skill.

This black bowl is specific to a particular village here. it is one of the only places that it is made the clay actually turns black when it is fired, its not just glazed. the candy inside the dish is also the traditional Christmas candy. most of the times they decorate the tree with it. In is actually under my tree on the tree skirt. it is my way of incorporating a little Hungarian tradition. The light up santa is for you dad, i thought that this would just brighten your day! hahahaha you love me. No worries I put this back in the box, but i had to take a picture for you first.

Baby Dedications

These are two families that I went to their baby dedication services. The family on the left is a precious family who has had me in their home two different times, and are very gracious about me not being able to communicate with them well. Both families are friends of the Millers.

The New Place

Sorry that these pictures are a little late in coming. But this picture is of my living room. I love the light that these windows let in, I mean take advantage of the light while you got it right. the down side is that it looks out over the street, and it seems odd at night that people can probably see in, but i try not to think about it much. I'll get more than sheer curtains one day.

This is my kitchen that is open to both the dinning room and living room, just the way I like it, which is very unheard of here. This makes it easier to be a good hostess and not loose contact with people that come to visit. Please note the step stool next to the sink, Ok i don't need it to do the dishes, but i do to reach the top shelf.
This is where i am now, sitting in that chair working on the computer. This is my office/guest room. who knew I would ever have an office. I really like it though, that way it is not like you stay in your room all day. The cabinet is the coat closet, linen closet as well as office supplies. Impressive no.
This is part one of the bathroom. It now has a white shelving unit to put all that stuff on top of the washing machine. And truth be told I might should have my step stool in here, b/c it might not look like it but that tub is high.

Here is the master suite. It probably hasn't been this clean since I took this picture, I'm just kidding mom, I still clean my room, but I make no promises about making the bed everyday. And look at that Christy, who knew that the pillow that you gave me would match the bedding I was given.

thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving I was in Budapest with the Rierson's. It was a good day, lots of food, new people to meet and a day to be refreshed. We began the day by playing a little nintendo and ended my playing skipbo. It was alot of fun, i hope that you enjoy the pictures.

a day in the life

Ok so what does a typical day look like for me? well this really wasn't typical, but thats boring so here was my day today, at least thus far. As soon as I woke up I knew that I needed to prepare a dessert for a friend coming this afternoon so I began to make an easy american dish: eclair pie. Well... i ran out of milk b/c i didn't know how much a decaliter is. so while most of you have your handy cool whip i'm measuring in decaliters and trying to whip it with a fork b/c i also do not have a mixer. Then there was the language lesson, this is always a treat. so after i throughly embarrass myself, i know have to make a choc. topping to go on the dessert, so off to the store for more milk.

Luckily there is a little stop in store on the corner of my building so i just run downstairs right quick, instead of the cross city trek to the big store. however here milk comes in a bag and i'm not sure what type i bought. the lady was really sweet and just wanted someone to talk with, unfortunately we don't speak the same language and when i told her that i only spoke very little hungarian, but that i was learning she talked for at least another 2-3 min. During this time i said that i lived here, i was 27 and i was studying hungarian. oh that that i'm american and lived in Georgia. i also preceded to practice my numbers and give her my social security number.... just kidding.

You think its over don't you, its not even 11:30 yet there is still much of the day left. Then i go up stair and make my icing. Well i look around and since company is coming i should take out the trash. So i gather one box and head downstairs. (this is a good time to tell you that the clicker that opens where you put the trash in is missing, the landlord never gave me one) So I'm hoping that it will be open. Better, i see my neighbor and ask where to put it and he takes me to it, and it is open, YEAH! so i go upstairs and make my second load to come back and find it closed. Well i'm crafty and remember that there was only a little fence and the ramp to the garage was open. now if anything growing up in Georgia i can jump a fence. So i throw my boxes over, stand on the strategically placed cinder box and notice that there are only horizontal slats. not detered my horizontal disadvantage (aka i'm short) i jump up and throw myself ontop of the fence and then over. Proud of my feat i put the trash in its place and then realize that i can not come back the way that i came. the ramp is too far down for someone who has to fling themselves over and my luck i would hit the cinder block and trip, bruise, or break something, and well i live on the 2 floor i'm not about that. well there is only one other place where there is a sidewalk on the otherside of the fence and it is next to a wall. the problem is that it is in full view of the company next's door smoker place. so i have to wait till they have consumed enough cancer and then promptly fling myself over the fence while trying not to miss the narrow side walk and fall 5-6 down the ramp. Now, who wants taking out the trash to be their daily chore?

I'll spare you anymore details, but summarize the rest of the day: i realized i didn't have food for lunch, had to sprint for the tram which left as i was a foot from it and got lost on the way home b/c i check out a store on a diff. street. all to come home and make sure everything was at least tolerable before tonight. and that was all before 3:30. I'm looking forward for an eventful evening.... or maybe not.

included in these pics are some ruins of the old wall surround the castle, ruins of surrounding buildings, be being silly and the famous chain bridge. thats right dad they have both chain and suspension bridges.

Buda Time

So this is a little primer for some of the rest of the pictures. And since the comp seems to be cooperating today, maybe you will actually get to see them.

Okay, so the first pic is me doing who knows what on top of a castle, thats right a castle and wow was it cold up there. thanks for the scarf and mittens peggy they work great! And well the next two pic are the same thing. Besides the view which is fantastic the pic doesn't do it justice, it is a good place to go up and see the city and dream about all that can be done through those who are fully committed.

budapest

The first pic is the church next to the castle it has amazing detail. And i'm not sure what the other building is, except pretty. The river though is the Danube. It get overwhelming to see building after building with such distinct designs and history. It really is beautiful in evening or in daylight.


i know you can't see but i am sticking my hand in the dragon's mouth. i would love to say that this was an old hungarian tradition in which if you can place your hand in the mouth of a dragon and still pass across its shadow with out flinching then you know that mind is a peace or something, but i was just tired of being the only one in my pic and wanted to do something besides stand and smile. like i am with the kings or knights of old. it reminded me a little of Lord of the Rings.

This is a brail layout of the castle area so that the blind can enjoy the history as well. The other pic is me trying to be artistic. we didn't really have anything funny happen, probably because I didn't try to say much. I just smiled nodded and took the pictures.

This is for you Jeremy

I'm not sure what all this says, but what I do know is that it is part of the university, and it deals with atomic (nuclear I guess) science. And it is about 1-2 blocks from the Millers. I have absolutely no idea what that thing on the right it, but it looks like it belongs.

Weekdays with the Riersons

Last Thursday, the Rierson family came to visit me and my town! I posted our visit to the "big church," here is the rest of our adventures.

Like all good baptist, first things first.. we go to dinner! We went to csarda with is a traditional Hungarian restaurant. Elaine and Nathan had a paris style chicken breast. Which just means fried. Robert, James and the rest of us had goulash. I tried to take a picture, but it came out blurry, so i'll take a better picture next time.















After all that food, we needed to go for a walk. Friday morning we went to the university and I showed them around (what little I know) and then we went downtown in search for lunch and things to do. Little did we know that the quest for a place that was open at 11:45 was an adventure all in its self.

We landed here at an a'ruha'z, or shopping area. it was such a beautiful walk and it was just refreshing being with those who you knew before this whirlwind occurred. This is also the family that I will be spending thanksgiving with. So stayed tuned for more adventures.

Nagy Templom (big church)

The Rierson family came to visit me and my city this past weekend! It was a lot of fun to be with people that are just as new as I am. One our adventures was going into the big church. Inside is a huge organ, and ornate features. There is also listed the history of the church in 3-4 different languages.




Like many things in Debrecen, they like to mix the old with the new, which is why this piece of modern art was also on display. (this actually could be something functional, but i have no idea what it is, so it became modern art)