6/24/2008
6/05/2008
One Last EBS Blog...
Yesterday, the Dictionary.com word of the day was:
lachrymose \LAK-ruh-mohs\, adjective:
1. Generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tearful.2. Causing or tending to cause tears.
Which I considered to be rather appropriate, considering how many times I found myself either actually giving way to tears or at least being on the verge of them this past week. I didn't think I would get so emotional so soon, but here I am, a big blubbering ball of cheese, thinking over the past year and all the people and experiences I've had and realizing that this one year has been so completely different from all my other years of life and has changed me so much that I don't think I'll ever think the same way about life again. The thing is, it hasn't been the classes that have taught me so much while I've been here. I mean sure, I now know how to give a mean massage, plant copious amounts of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, give hydro therapy and a bible study on Daniel and Revelation at the same time, but those aren't the things that have caused me to make changes, or that have opened my eyes so drastically and really made me think. It's the people I've met, and the lessons I have learned through them. I don't know how different the year would have been if one person hadn't been here, but I'm honestly really glad all of them were, and I'm intending on missing everyone, because everyone has made some sort of impact on my life, whether negative or positive, the point is that they have, and the lessons I have learned this year will effect how I live the rest of my life. I'm really happy and thankful that I have been here this year and gotten to meet all these people and experiance all these things. :)
<3
lachrymose \LAK-ruh-mohs\, adjective:
1. Generating or shedding tears; given to shedding tears; suffused with tears; tearful.2. Causing or tending to cause tears.
Which I considered to be rather appropriate, considering how many times I found myself either actually giving way to tears or at least being on the verge of them this past week. I didn't think I would get so emotional so soon, but here I am, a big blubbering ball of cheese, thinking over the past year and all the people and experiences I've had and realizing that this one year has been so completely different from all my other years of life and has changed me so much that I don't think I'll ever think the same way about life again. The thing is, it hasn't been the classes that have taught me so much while I've been here. I mean sure, I now know how to give a mean massage, plant copious amounts of lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers, give hydro therapy and a bible study on Daniel and Revelation at the same time, but those aren't the things that have caused me to make changes, or that have opened my eyes so drastically and really made me think. It's the people I've met, and the lessons I have learned through them. I don't know how different the year would have been if one person hadn't been here, but I'm honestly really glad all of them were, and I'm intending on missing everyone, because everyone has made some sort of impact on my life, whether negative or positive, the point is that they have, and the lessons I have learned this year will effect how I live the rest of my life. I'm really happy and thankful that I have been here this year and gotten to meet all these people and experiance all these things. :)
<3
5/06/2008
Wet Socks and Waterfalls
Showering with socks on is a truly strange feeling.
Have you sleepwalked into the shower fully-clothed and not woken up until the water hit you?
Neither have I.
But, this morning, I did find myself standing in the shower fully clothed, socks and all, and not by the force of another person. This was because I was already fully drenched from head to toe, and saw no need to remove the wet clothing before tossing myself into the shower. So I didn't. The reason I was already soaked was because during our time in the greenhouse when Kestus and I were supposed to be planting cute, innocent brocolli plants, we got into a waterfight that lasted the next hour and a half, approximately. We eventually involved Eli and Sarah and anyone else who came close enough to us to get doused by our wild watering can flinging. We eventually resorted to the use of buckets, because watering cans aren't all that ideal for sneakily soaking your enemy. In the end the plan was to throw Kestus fully clothed into the big water tank, but by that point we were mostly done with the whole thing and called a temporary truce... at least all the plants in our path got thoroughly watered. As did we. So that's how I know it feels weird to wear socks in the shower. Try it sometime, and I think you will totally understand what I mean.
On to other things, today marks exactly one month to our dedication from European Bible School. I don't like countdowns, they are too depressing... but I thought I would just inform everyone how much longer I was here... at EBS at least. I don't come home for almost another month after that though, which has it's awsome sides and it's not as awesome sides...
Last night we took the bus and drove to this beautiful waterfall. Because of all the rain it was quite impressive.
Have you sleepwalked into the shower fully-clothed and not woken up until the water hit you?
Neither have I.
But, this morning, I did find myself standing in the shower fully clothed, socks and all, and not by the force of another person. This was because I was already fully drenched from head to toe, and saw no need to remove the wet clothing before tossing myself into the shower. So I didn't. The reason I was already soaked was because during our time in the greenhouse when Kestus and I were supposed to be planting cute, innocent brocolli plants, we got into a waterfight that lasted the next hour and a half, approximately. We eventually involved Eli and Sarah and anyone else who came close enough to us to get doused by our wild watering can flinging. We eventually resorted to the use of buckets, because watering cans aren't all that ideal for sneakily soaking your enemy. In the end the plan was to throw Kestus fully clothed into the big water tank, but by that point we were mostly done with the whole thing and called a temporary truce... at least all the plants in our path got thoroughly watered. As did we. So that's how I know it feels weird to wear socks in the shower. Try it sometime, and I think you will totally understand what I mean.
On to other things, today marks exactly one month to our dedication from European Bible School. I don't like countdowns, they are too depressing... but I thought I would just inform everyone how much longer I was here... at EBS at least. I don't come home for almost another month after that though, which has it's awsome sides and it's not as awesome sides...
Last night we took the bus and drove to this beautiful waterfall. Because of all the rain it was quite impressive.
4/28/2008
&stuff...
So at least it isn't snowing. But it's raining. Last week we had a whole ten days of pure, unadulterated sunshine, which brightened my dismal life, but now it's raining. Oh well. I like rain.
39 days left of actual classes here at EBS... and then I'm free to do whatever I so choose. The possibilies are endless, it's just picking on that is causing me grief. As far as I know at the moment, I'll be returning to good ol' Nova Scotia in early July... leaving some time for a few adventures here in Norway and surrounding areas (aka Europe) before that fateful day.
Leadership course has everyone busy, but it's rather enjoyable, even though I still don't view myself as a leader... but who knows, I suppose stranger things have occured.
Um. Yep. That's really all I have to say/have time for.
<3
39 days left of actual classes here at EBS... and then I'm free to do whatever I so choose. The possibilies are endless, it's just picking on that is causing me grief. As far as I know at the moment, I'll be returning to good ol' Nova Scotia in early July... leaving some time for a few adventures here in Norway and surrounding areas (aka Europe) before that fateful day.
Leadership course has everyone busy, but it's rather enjoyable, even though I still don't view myself as a leader... but who knows, I suppose stranger things have occured.
Um. Yep. That's really all I have to say/have time for.
<3
4/14/2008
4/08/2008
:)
It's been a ridiculously long time since I have updated, as my good friend Andrew here has pointed out so kindly to me, and even though I really have nothing overly earth-shattering to share, I thought it would at least be nice to let everyone know that I am alive, happy and healthy.
We have begun the last segament here at EBS, the Leadership Course... and I must say it has me a little scared. I have never before pictured myself as a leader, nor considered myself capable of becoming one, but due to our wonderful guest teachers, Bill and Gayle Clark, I am starting to realize that perhaps it's all in my head and there is a large chance that I'll at least be able to accomplish the tasks in leadership set before me here, even if I never use them again as long as I live.
The weather is an all-important topic (just ask my grandmother), and so I'll just say that I despise spring, but I like mud... Just getting sick of having those really warm days upon which you can smell summer on it's way, and then the next day, it snows. But I'm hopeful.
Other than that, been to Oslo a couple of times and really enjoyed the change of scenery and people... good times.
Unfortunately, another person has had to depart from us... Christian has gone back to Texas because his stupid visa had problems... he's a good friend of mine, and I miss him. Hate how people have to leave, but yet I know I have to do that sometime too.
Time is lame. I am really annoyed with it, and wish I could discover a way to stop it... or at least slow it down or something. Oh well.
I bid all of you a good day, a good week, and a happy spring, despite the whole silly rain/snow/rain/snow thing.
<3Jen
We have begun the last segament here at EBS, the Leadership Course... and I must say it has me a little scared. I have never before pictured myself as a leader, nor considered myself capable of becoming one, but due to our wonderful guest teachers, Bill and Gayle Clark, I am starting to realize that perhaps it's all in my head and there is a large chance that I'll at least be able to accomplish the tasks in leadership set before me here, even if I never use them again as long as I live.
The weather is an all-important topic (just ask my grandmother), and so I'll just say that I despise spring, but I like mud... Just getting sick of having those really warm days upon which you can smell summer on it's way, and then the next day, it snows. But I'm hopeful.
Other than that, been to Oslo a couple of times and really enjoyed the change of scenery and people... good times.
Unfortunately, another person has had to depart from us... Christian has gone back to Texas because his stupid visa had problems... he's a good friend of mine, and I miss him. Hate how people have to leave, but yet I know I have to do that sometime too.
Time is lame. I am really annoyed with it, and wish I could discover a way to stop it... or at least slow it down or something. Oh well.
I bid all of you a good day, a good week, and a happy spring, despite the whole silly rain/snow/rain/snow thing.
<3Jen
3/11/2008
Cookies and Icecream
Today I made banana date cookies with Hugo, and despite the fact that I'm not overly fond of bananas or dates, they turned out rather tasty. And then we made stawberry banana pinapple icecream (minus the cream of course, as it was vegan) and that was even better.
:)
:)
3/09/2008
Reflection...
Tis Sunday, and looking back on the past week, life has just gotten better and better with the passing of time. It's amazing the little changes that take place in your own life and in the lives of others that so improve not only your quality of life, but that of those around you aswell, thereby just causing a chain reaction of happiness in those closest to you.
It felt like spring today, and Marcus and Agnieszka convinced me to go for a run with them, and even though I don't really run, I went, and the sunshine and the warm air and everything melting just made me as happy as can be and I actually managed to run a fairly decent distance - at least for someone who hasn't run for about a year.
Yesterday was a lovely day :) Eldar (friend I met at Inspiration Weekend) came to visit and despite the not-so-lovely weather a few of us went for a nice walk and then in the evening had worship and supper with Andrew and Lindsay... it was a really nice day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The school week was pleasant aswell, as we continue to learn massage etc., and plus my job in the afternoons is cleaning down at the healthfood store (toilet cleaning again!) which I don't mind as it gives me time alone to think and stuff, as well as forces to to walk 20 minutes up and down the hill, in case I am not motivated to just go exercize of my own free will.
Coming events: This week we are having a Week of Prayer at EBS, which will hopefully bring a new atmosphere to the school and bring the students and teachers not only closer to each other, but to God as well. Other than that, it's life pretty much life as usual... oh, and on Thursday we begin giving massages to the public! So that is a bit different and somewhat scary, as so far we have just practiced on our fellow students and one or two staff members. But it should go well.
In short, life is good.
♥
It felt like spring today, and Marcus and Agnieszka convinced me to go for a run with them, and even though I don't really run, I went, and the sunshine and the warm air and everything melting just made me as happy as can be and I actually managed to run a fairly decent distance - at least for someone who hasn't run for about a year.
Yesterday was a lovely day :) Eldar (friend I met at Inspiration Weekend) came to visit and despite the not-so-lovely weather a few of us went for a nice walk and then in the evening had worship and supper with Andrew and Lindsay... it was a really nice day, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The school week was pleasant aswell, as we continue to learn massage etc., and plus my job in the afternoons is cleaning down at the healthfood store (toilet cleaning again!) which I don't mind as it gives me time alone to think and stuff, as well as forces to to walk 20 minutes up and down the hill, in case I am not motivated to just go exercize of my own free will.
Coming events: This week we are having a Week of Prayer at EBS, which will hopefully bring a new atmosphere to the school and bring the students and teachers not only closer to each other, but to God as well. Other than that, it's life pretty much life as usual... oh, and on Thursday we begin giving massages to the public! So that is a bit different and somewhat scary, as so far we have just practiced on our fellow students and one or two staff members. But it should go well.
In short, life is good.
♥
2/24/2008
Back in Skotselv....
This is sort of a good thing and sort of not-so-good... it's good because I like having a shower to myself, my own room with my own bed and not a mattress in the corner of a classroom full of girls who complain when I snore (oops, sorry ladies), and because it's nice to be "home". It's not so good becayse I liked being with new and different people, and I liked the food better there than I do here (don't tell Tatiana!), I liked having a pool all to myself :) and because I enjoyed hearing different messages from different people, and gleaning ideas from people. It was a nice change of pace.
(For those of you who do not have Facebook, here is some photographical evidence from the weekend.)
Dan Vis
Erin (such a cute lil nerd)
Special Music
Sabbath School Discussion
Building the girl's stayed in (mine was bottom window next to the door)
Pretty lake below Tyrifjord
2/22/2008
Inspiration Weekend 2008
So the other weekend when I sang in church, Erin tricked me into agreeing to sing this weekend for Inspiration Weekend at Tyrifjord Academy. So here I am.
The speaker for the weekend is Dan Vis from the US of A, and the topic is "Think 20/20" - basically learning to change our thinking on how to reach out to those around us... he's a fairly decent speaker, slightly too focused on the US perhaps, but interesting.
Along with singing, I also have the duty of lifeguarding the little pool here in the mornings - from 6 to 7am - which, despite the early hour, makes me happy, as it has been forever since I have gotten near a pool.
Tyrifjord is a beautiful location; the school is on a lake, however, not an actual fjord, but it's breathtaking nonetheless. The weather could be nicer, but you can't have everything.
There are people here from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and I don't remember where else, along with our very culturaly diverse students from EBS. It's pretty cool. I had a German lesson today. :)
Been here since late yesterday afternoon, and leaving Sunday evening. I am hoping the whole weekend is a really good experiance.
<3Jen
The speaker for the weekend is Dan Vis from the US of A, and the topic is "Think 20/20" - basically learning to change our thinking on how to reach out to those around us... he's a fairly decent speaker, slightly too focused on the US perhaps, but interesting.
Along with singing, I also have the duty of lifeguarding the little pool here in the mornings - from 6 to 7am - which, despite the early hour, makes me happy, as it has been forever since I have gotten near a pool.
Tyrifjord is a beautiful location; the school is on a lake, however, not an actual fjord, but it's breathtaking nonetheless. The weather could be nicer, but you can't have everything.
There are people here from Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and I don't remember where else, along with our very culturaly diverse students from EBS. It's pretty cool. I had a German lesson today. :)
Been here since late yesterday afternoon, and leaving Sunday evening. I am hoping the whole weekend is a really good experiance.
<3Jen
2/15/2008
"Wacky Week"
This week at EBS, we had "Wacky Week", aka Spirit Week.
For those who participated, it was a (mostly) fun time.
:)
For those who participated, it was a (mostly) fun time.
:)
2/12/2008
2/03/2008
Special Music & Kickboxing
This morning at breakfast as I was sitting there munching on granola and listening to German across the table, Faroese on my right hand, and the Norwegians and Mexicans argue about who was more tired on my left, I had time to think, and reflect.
I was thinking about the time I have spent here in Norway thus far. The people I have met, the things I have learned, the experiences I have had. I feel as though I am truly “broadening my horizons” (to use the most cliché phrase ever coined).
Today another person who I have had the privilege to meet here, and who has made an impact on my life, is leaving. So far, there has been a few of these, and it saddens me to see another go. Andrés (from Spain) is leaving today to go to Denmark. He was here as an agriculture student, as well as being a co-leader for the Tanzania mission trip. He has been a very good friend to me, and he will be missed. Thank goodness for the invention of email, or I would no longer be in contact with many of the people who have come and gone in my life over the years... it’s sad, really.
On Sabbath, I have one of the English Sabbath school classes, as well as special music with Marcus. It should be a full day, and a full week preparing for it. I’m pretty happy though, as the Sabbath school lesson is about Ethnicity and Discipleship, so it should be fairly interesting.
Today I spent 3 and ½ hours doing paperwork for Marta, and I didn’t even get finished. It was miserable. Not that I don’t like paperwork, it’s just this was so ridiculously disorganized and confusing; I was going somewhat crazy after the first 2 hours. But I’ll finish it up tomorrow and all will be well and good in the world again.
Easter Break is coming up next month, and I am looking at the possibilities of going somewhere interesting for the week. The problem with wanting to go everywhere, however, is picking a place to go first! But Sarah and I have been perusing plane tickets and I’m sure we will come up with something grand and glorious, and honestly, I can’t wait. If only we could go somewhere warm, and tropical...
The front door of my dorm was frozen shut this morning and I spent a full three minutes using my brute strength to get it open. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that my brute strength isn’t overly brute-like. I’ll work on that later. Erin is going to start kickboxing classes on Friday afternoons, so that should help me in my quest of one day becoming big, burly and brawn. I can only hope.
Other than that, life is as usual, and I like it, most of the time. Yesterday Sarah and I finally watched Gandhi (I’ve been waiting since last summer) and loved every blessed moment of it. Ben Kingsley has always been one of my hero’s, so seeing two of my hero’s morphed into one was sort of like a dream come true for me, I won’t lie.
I wish you all a good night, or good morning, or just a general good day, depending on what time zone you are currently reading from, and drive safely.
<3Jen
I was thinking about the time I have spent here in Norway thus far. The people I have met, the things I have learned, the experiences I have had. I feel as though I am truly “broadening my horizons” (to use the most cliché phrase ever coined).
Today another person who I have had the privilege to meet here, and who has made an impact on my life, is leaving. So far, there has been a few of these, and it saddens me to see another go. Andrés (from Spain) is leaving today to go to Denmark. He was here as an agriculture student, as well as being a co-leader for the Tanzania mission trip. He has been a very good friend to me, and he will be missed. Thank goodness for the invention of email, or I would no longer be in contact with many of the people who have come and gone in my life over the years... it’s sad, really.
On Sabbath, I have one of the English Sabbath school classes, as well as special music with Marcus. It should be a full day, and a full week preparing for it. I’m pretty happy though, as the Sabbath school lesson is about Ethnicity and Discipleship, so it should be fairly interesting.
Today I spent 3 and ½ hours doing paperwork for Marta, and I didn’t even get finished. It was miserable. Not that I don’t like paperwork, it’s just this was so ridiculously disorganized and confusing; I was going somewhat crazy after the first 2 hours. But I’ll finish it up tomorrow and all will be well and good in the world again.
Easter Break is coming up next month, and I am looking at the possibilities of going somewhere interesting for the week. The problem with wanting to go everywhere, however, is picking a place to go first! But Sarah and I have been perusing plane tickets and I’m sure we will come up with something grand and glorious, and honestly, I can’t wait. If only we could go somewhere warm, and tropical...
The front door of my dorm was frozen shut this morning and I spent a full three minutes using my brute strength to get it open. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that my brute strength isn’t overly brute-like. I’ll work on that later. Erin is going to start kickboxing classes on Friday afternoons, so that should help me in my quest of one day becoming big, burly and brawn. I can only hope.
Other than that, life is as usual, and I like it, most of the time. Yesterday Sarah and I finally watched Gandhi (I’ve been waiting since last summer) and loved every blessed moment of it. Ben Kingsley has always been one of my hero’s, so seeing two of my hero’s morphed into one was sort of like a dream come true for me, I won’t lie.
I wish you all a good night, or good morning, or just a general good day, depending on what time zone you are currently reading from, and drive safely.
<3Jen
1/27/2008
Africa Blog!
In order to cause the least confusion and to finally post some entries about my trip to Africa a couple months ago (insert copious amounts of apologizing here), I have started another blog wholly dedicated to this trip. You can find the link in my profile on the right. It's just new and has work to be done, but it shall be all spiffed up real soon.
Enjoy, and again, I apologize for the immence delay.
Thank you, and have a nice day. :)
Enjoy, and again, I apologize for the immence delay.
Thank you, and have a nice day. :)
1/16/2008
Revelation and Finger Eleven
Happy Belated New Year to one and all... I am afraid I have been quite lacking in time and inspiration to update my blog. I’m back in Norway and back in classes – I am amazed at the fact that it is already 2008 and I will be here only another 5 months, approximately, and then, who knows what?
This semester I have classes in Revelation with Kenneth Jorgenson, which are usually very interesting , and if not, then his hilarious pronunciation of the English language makes up for it. I have been designated as part of the crew (along with the other North Americans) to help correct his English mistakes since his main grammar teacher, Elyssa, is back home in Maine... sadface.
So currently we are going through the book of Revelation word by word and verse by verse and I personally am sceptical as to whether or not we shall ever make our way through... as of current, we are on verse 6 of Chapter One.
Other classes include Anatomy and Physiology, Church History, Last Day Events, Massage (that is to come in about a month) and, since Monday, Hydro Therapy. I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of this segment (referring to the latter) due to the fact that I am not used to having good blood circulation, and since hydro therapy is designed specifically to help with that issue, I have been getting severe headaches and some bouts of dizziness from the excess blood flowing into my brain. On the other hand, it’s good for you, and is highly relaxing, and I don’t mind giving treatments, either. But I’m more excited for massage therapy, as I feel I will be more likely to use it in my future life.
On Wednesday, I indulged in the grand luxury of a bath, as I realized that it has been several years since I have enjoyed the bubbly goodness. So I took my rubber ducky and my bubbles and soaked for a good hour. I know it’s not an overly thrilling thing to share, but it made me happy, so I though I would tell about it anyway.
Other than that, it’s been snowing and melting and snowing and melting and freezing and currently it’s about 3 degrees above 0 and everything is a sheet of ice with a layer of water over top, making the normally 2 second trek from my dorm to the school a treacherous and hazardous journey. Sarah has even farther to walk from her dorm, and there have been several accidents of people slipping and falling thus far, and I am aware that it is only a matter of days before I succumb to a moment of utter clumsiness and find myself sprawled out at the bottom of the steps. But until that moment arrives, I consider myself lucky and make sure I step with care.
Really not that much else to tell. I have been reading Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, listening to Tegan and Sara and Timberland (odd combination, I know), and waiting for the day when Marcus buys a coffee maker so I can enjoy my Honduran coffee with Sarah McCann, who brought me a bag all the way from Honduras, of all places! Not only did she bring me coffee, but a Rastafarian hat, as well. Also, I recently discovered that I have a much higher tolerance for hot sauce than I previously have had, and we have been eating habanero pepper ULTRA HOT hot sauce as though it were going out of style.
I do promise that one of these days - hopefully very soon – I will post a series of blogs telling about my trip to Africa, but I will just say that I enjoyed the experience greatly and would like to return at any moment to once again have the heat, (some of) the food, the landscape, the trees (especially those), and the people around me once again.
That is pretty much it. I’m going to return to my day-long obsession of watching the Finger Eleven music video of “Paralyzed” with Rob Monk on YouTube and try to avoid loud sounds and bright lights, due to the throbbing pain in my head which I would really appreciate the disappearance of sometime in the very new future.
Good day.
<3Jen
This semester I have classes in Revelation with Kenneth Jorgenson, which are usually very interesting , and if not, then his hilarious pronunciation of the English language makes up for it. I have been designated as part of the crew (along with the other North Americans) to help correct his English mistakes since his main grammar teacher, Elyssa, is back home in Maine... sadface.
So currently we are going through the book of Revelation word by word and verse by verse and I personally am sceptical as to whether or not we shall ever make our way through... as of current, we are on verse 6 of Chapter One.
Other classes include Anatomy and Physiology, Church History, Last Day Events, Massage (that is to come in about a month) and, since Monday, Hydro Therapy. I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of this segment (referring to the latter) due to the fact that I am not used to having good blood circulation, and since hydro therapy is designed specifically to help with that issue, I have been getting severe headaches and some bouts of dizziness from the excess blood flowing into my brain. On the other hand, it’s good for you, and is highly relaxing, and I don’t mind giving treatments, either. But I’m more excited for massage therapy, as I feel I will be more likely to use it in my future life.
On Wednesday, I indulged in the grand luxury of a bath, as I realized that it has been several years since I have enjoyed the bubbly goodness. So I took my rubber ducky and my bubbles and soaked for a good hour. I know it’s not an overly thrilling thing to share, but it made me happy, so I though I would tell about it anyway.
Other than that, it’s been snowing and melting and snowing and melting and freezing and currently it’s about 3 degrees above 0 and everything is a sheet of ice with a layer of water over top, making the normally 2 second trek from my dorm to the school a treacherous and hazardous journey. Sarah has even farther to walk from her dorm, and there have been several accidents of people slipping and falling thus far, and I am aware that it is only a matter of days before I succumb to a moment of utter clumsiness and find myself sprawled out at the bottom of the steps. But until that moment arrives, I consider myself lucky and make sure I step with care.
Really not that much else to tell. I have been reading Les Misérables by Victor Hugo, listening to Tegan and Sara and Timberland (odd combination, I know), and waiting for the day when Marcus buys a coffee maker so I can enjoy my Honduran coffee with Sarah McCann, who brought me a bag all the way from Honduras, of all places! Not only did she bring me coffee, but a Rastafarian hat, as well. Also, I recently discovered that I have a much higher tolerance for hot sauce than I previously have had, and we have been eating habanero pepper ULTRA HOT hot sauce as though it were going out of style.
I do promise that one of these days - hopefully very soon – I will post a series of blogs telling about my trip to Africa, but I will just say that I enjoyed the experience greatly and would like to return at any moment to once again have the heat, (some of) the food, the landscape, the trees (especially those), and the people around me once again.
That is pretty much it. I’m going to return to my day-long obsession of watching the Finger Eleven music video of “Paralyzed” with Rob Monk on YouTube and try to avoid loud sounds and bright lights, due to the throbbing pain in my head which I would really appreciate the disappearance of sometime in the very new future.
Good day.
<3Jen
1/10/2008
Krakow - Day Four
Sunday, December 30, 2007 – 9:30AM
Woke up early, and Agnieszka and I snuck out of the house in order to go see the inside of Wawel Castle. The reason we snuck out was because Rob didn’t want to go, and Rob’s two friends who had come to visit were still sleeping, so we headed out on our own. Turns out everything at the castle is free on Sundays, hurray! So we went on in and checked out the beautiful living quarters (wearing our sweet blue plastic hospital booties, I might add). The main things I enjoyed seeing there were the ceilings. In each room the ceiling is different, and also each element of the ceiling. For example, a few of the rooms had large, ornate gold flowers, framed in wood, on the ceiling, but each flower was unique and different. It was amazing to me how much work was put into that. Other rooms had beautiful paintings from the Baroque period overhead, and in the Throne Room, my personal favourite, the ceiling had sculptures of heads hanging down looking at you. I took a picture of it which unfortunately turned out blurry, as I took it in sort of a hurry, because pictures weren’t really allowed, or at least that was the message I had gathered from all the signs about with cameras x-ed out that were basically everywhere.
We then went through the armoury, which was cool. Anyone who has ever gone shopping with me and seen me ogle the swords at the House of Knives knows how much I like that kind of thing. We spent about 3 times longer looking at the spears, daggers, swords, guns, armour and canons than we had going through the whole other section of the castle.
We returned to the apartment and packed up, handed the keys over to the landlord, and moved out. Cramming all the luggage of 5 people, plus those 5 people, into our tiny car was quite the feat in itself, but we were successful and drove off to find accommodations for Rob’s friends at Elephants on the Moon hostel, and then drove to the Town Square. Walked around for a while, played with the huge numbers of pigeons – even had one land on my arm; I was so proud. Went to lunch at the Sphinx, enjoyed some amazing curried pasta (it sounds kinda gross, but trust me, it was quite the opposite), and then sadly it was time to take the car back to the rental place.
Carless and backpacked, we jumped the tram and headed for the train station, which conveniently has a huge mall right next to it. Wasted a couple hours there and then at last got on the train and headed back to Wroclaw. Unfortunately, I could not sleep this time, so I spent the duration looking out the window at the drab and bleak winter landscape fly past. Arrived back “home” and went immediately to bed, tired but happy.
Good times, good memories. =]
Woke up early, and Agnieszka and I snuck out of the house in order to go see the inside of Wawel Castle. The reason we snuck out was because Rob didn’t want to go, and Rob’s two friends who had come to visit were still sleeping, so we headed out on our own. Turns out everything at the castle is free on Sundays, hurray! So we went on in and checked out the beautiful living quarters (wearing our sweet blue plastic hospital booties, I might add). The main things I enjoyed seeing there were the ceilings. In each room the ceiling is different, and also each element of the ceiling. For example, a few of the rooms had large, ornate gold flowers, framed in wood, on the ceiling, but each flower was unique and different. It was amazing to me how much work was put into that. Other rooms had beautiful paintings from the Baroque period overhead, and in the Throne Room, my personal favourite, the ceiling had sculptures of heads hanging down looking at you. I took a picture of it which unfortunately turned out blurry, as I took it in sort of a hurry, because pictures weren’t really allowed, or at least that was the message I had gathered from all the signs about with cameras x-ed out that were basically everywhere.
We then went through the armoury, which was cool. Anyone who has ever gone shopping with me and seen me ogle the swords at the House of Knives knows how much I like that kind of thing. We spent about 3 times longer looking at the spears, daggers, swords, guns, armour and canons than we had going through the whole other section of the castle.
We returned to the apartment and packed up, handed the keys over to the landlord, and moved out. Cramming all the luggage of 5 people, plus those 5 people, into our tiny car was quite the feat in itself, but we were successful and drove off to find accommodations for Rob’s friends at Elephants on the Moon hostel, and then drove to the Town Square. Walked around for a while, played with the huge numbers of pigeons – even had one land on my arm; I was so proud. Went to lunch at the Sphinx, enjoyed some amazing curried pasta (it sounds kinda gross, but trust me, it was quite the opposite), and then sadly it was time to take the car back to the rental place.
Carless and backpacked, we jumped the tram and headed for the train station, which conveniently has a huge mall right next to it. Wasted a couple hours there and then at last got on the train and headed back to Wroclaw. Unfortunately, I could not sleep this time, so I spent the duration looking out the window at the drab and bleak winter landscape fly past. Arrived back “home” and went immediately to bed, tired but happy.
Good times, good memories. =]
Krakow - Day Three
Saturday, December 29, 2007 – 10AM
Began driving to Zakopane - a mountainous ski town – about 2 hours later than we had wanted to. This caused the trip, which would have normally taken an hour, to stretch to three, due to loads of traffic. But at last we go there, walked around, saw the view... and then the sun went behind the mountains and doused us in darkness... so we walked around some more, and then went to eat. We found a quaint little restaurant that at last had an available table, and settled in for a nice meal. After which we went to a bakery and bought the most amazing cake I have ever eaten, and feasted on that in the car while Agnieszka talked to her aunt, who lives in the Adventist church in Zakopane. It was a fairly pointless, but nonetheless nice trip, and I got to sleep the 3 hours back in the car, which helped make up for a less-than-sufficient amount of sleep the night before.
Began driving to Zakopane - a mountainous ski town – about 2 hours later than we had wanted to. This caused the trip, which would have normally taken an hour, to stretch to three, due to loads of traffic. But at last we go there, walked around, saw the view... and then the sun went behind the mountains and doused us in darkness... so we walked around some more, and then went to eat. We found a quaint little restaurant that at last had an available table, and settled in for a nice meal. After which we went to a bakery and bought the most amazing cake I have ever eaten, and feasted on that in the car while Agnieszka talked to her aunt, who lives in the Adventist church in Zakopane. It was a fairly pointless, but nonetheless nice trip, and I got to sleep the 3 hours back in the car, which helped make up for a less-than-sufficient amount of sleep the night before.
Krakow - Day Two
Fridayday, December 28, 2007 – 7:30AM
Awakened suddenly, hurriedly dressed and out the door. Informed on the way we were going to Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the most “eagerly visited tourist sites in Poland”. I tried not to fall asleep on the way, coffee deprived as I was, and when we got there I was happy enough that they hadn’t left me in bed, as it was quite interesting a very beautiful. Obviously this salt mine is no longer used to mining salt; it is strictly a tourist attraction. And rightly so. 101 metres below the ground is the world chapel of St. Kinga, which has beautiful carvings and sculptures and even chandeliers made entirely of salt. There was a large statue of Pope John Paul II (Jana Paula II), which we all took our picture with, but then very unfortunately and much to my frustration and disappointment, I somehow foolishly managed to clear my memory card of all pictures. Needless to say it was not my finest moment. But all that aside. There was also displays of how salt mining worked, and how back in the day, when a man wanted to marry a woman, it was good if he had big hands, because in order to marry her he had to pay a dowry for her to her parents, and so he would go to the salt mines and he was allowed to take a two-handed handful of salt in order to prove his worthiness. The bigger his hands, the more salt he could take, and since in that area at that time salt was more precious than gold, the more salt he brought, the more likely he was to get the girl.
The deepest part of the salt mine was 125m, and from there you could use email and mobile phones, and there was also a restaurant, so you could say you had eaten 125m below ground. However, the food looked utterly devoid of edibility, so we continued on our way.
Luckily in order to get back out of the salt mine you were not required to climb the approximately 80 billion stairs it took to get down. Instead, we got to use the lift, which was much more claustrophobia-inducing, but faster. I got crammed into a tiny corner and pretty much just held my breath for 5 minutes until I could get out – and then I panicked. I was proud for holding it in that long, but I really don’t like small spaces when they are made small because of people. I also don’t like elevators, so it was a very bad combination. But still kind of fun, I guess.
As we were leaving I bought a block of salt for 1 zloty, which is about 25 cents :D and then we continued on our way to one of the main reasons we came to Krakow (I just learned it was spelled “Cracow” in English, but never mind): Auschwitz.
Auschwitz was a very sobering experience. It was a place I had always wanted to go, but once I was there I realized I had not prepared myself for all the things I was going to see. We walked around, from bunker to bunker, looking at the displays. The living quarters, the descriptions of work, and life in the camp, the grotesque pictures on the walls of men, women, and children, naked and starved nearly to death. Three things impacted me the most while I was there: the first was the displays of all the shoes that were taken away from the people who came to this camp. There were thousands and thousands of shoes, piled up to the ceiling and placed behind glass. They were all torn apart, searched for money, etc. But the thing that hit me was that each pair of shoes represented a human being who lost everything they owned, and for most of them, even their lives, for the sadistic pleasure of one man.
I was also struck by the descriptions of the torture many of these people were put through, and the experiments done on them. Babies being starved... it all just roiled me with anger and saddened me at the same time.
Lastly, I was abhorred by one quote of Adolf Hitler: “I freed Germany from the stupid and degrading fallacies of conscience, morality... we will train young people before whom the whole world will tremble. I want young people capable of violence, imperious, relentless, cruel.”
The last portion that we went through at Auschwitz was the gas chambers, where thousands of Jews, Poles, Gypsies, and even some Germans, if they didn’t live up to Hitler’s standards, lost their lives.
Words are not sufficient. Let me just say that I would highly recommend for each person to visit this place if they have the chance at some point in their lifetime.
Awakened suddenly, hurriedly dressed and out the door. Informed on the way we were going to Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the most “eagerly visited tourist sites in Poland”. I tried not to fall asleep on the way, coffee deprived as I was, and when we got there I was happy enough that they hadn’t left me in bed, as it was quite interesting a very beautiful. Obviously this salt mine is no longer used to mining salt; it is strictly a tourist attraction. And rightly so. 101 metres below the ground is the world chapel of St. Kinga, which has beautiful carvings and sculptures and even chandeliers made entirely of salt. There was a large statue of Pope John Paul II (Jana Paula II), which we all took our picture with, but then very unfortunately and much to my frustration and disappointment, I somehow foolishly managed to clear my memory card of all pictures. Needless to say it was not my finest moment. But all that aside. There was also displays of how salt mining worked, and how back in the day, when a man wanted to marry a woman, it was good if he had big hands, because in order to marry her he had to pay a dowry for her to her parents, and so he would go to the salt mines and he was allowed to take a two-handed handful of salt in order to prove his worthiness. The bigger his hands, the more salt he could take, and since in that area at that time salt was more precious than gold, the more salt he brought, the more likely he was to get the girl.
The deepest part of the salt mine was 125m, and from there you could use email and mobile phones, and there was also a restaurant, so you could say you had eaten 125m below ground. However, the food looked utterly devoid of edibility, so we continued on our way.
Luckily in order to get back out of the salt mine you were not required to climb the approximately 80 billion stairs it took to get down. Instead, we got to use the lift, which was much more claustrophobia-inducing, but faster. I got crammed into a tiny corner and pretty much just held my breath for 5 minutes until I could get out – and then I panicked. I was proud for holding it in that long, but I really don’t like small spaces when they are made small because of people. I also don’t like elevators, so it was a very bad combination. But still kind of fun, I guess.
As we were leaving I bought a block of salt for 1 zloty, which is about 25 cents :D and then we continued on our way to one of the main reasons we came to Krakow (I just learned it was spelled “Cracow” in English, but never mind): Auschwitz.
Auschwitz was a very sobering experience. It was a place I had always wanted to go, but once I was there I realized I had not prepared myself for all the things I was going to see. We walked around, from bunker to bunker, looking at the displays. The living quarters, the descriptions of work, and life in the camp, the grotesque pictures on the walls of men, women, and children, naked and starved nearly to death. Three things impacted me the most while I was there: the first was the displays of all the shoes that were taken away from the people who came to this camp. There were thousands and thousands of shoes, piled up to the ceiling and placed behind glass. They were all torn apart, searched for money, etc. But the thing that hit me was that each pair of shoes represented a human being who lost everything they owned, and for most of them, even their lives, for the sadistic pleasure of one man.
I was also struck by the descriptions of the torture many of these people were put through, and the experiments done on them. Babies being starved... it all just roiled me with anger and saddened me at the same time.
Lastly, I was abhorred by one quote of Adolf Hitler: “I freed Germany from the stupid and degrading fallacies of conscience, morality... we will train young people before whom the whole world will tremble. I want young people capable of violence, imperious, relentless, cruel.”
The last portion that we went through at Auschwitz was the gas chambers, where thousands of Jews, Poles, Gypsies, and even some Germans, if they didn’t live up to Hitler’s standards, lost their lives.
Words are not sufficient. Let me just say that I would highly recommend for each person to visit this place if they have the chance at some point in their lifetime.
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