Today I dressed up like a Pirate when I went to work, oh yes I did, and it was amazing. Funny thing though, after work I took a shower, put on a skirt and had to dash back toward work to pick up my paycheck. When I climbed the steps, a community dude remarked 'hey you look like a real women.' huh. My response was'how would you like it if this real women gave you a swift kick to the side of your head.' no not really, actually i said, 'no, i always dress like a real woman, just some days it takes a real man to notice.' no, for real i said 'haha, the power of a shower.' How Lame. the power of a shower? come on now, my life is so much better when I re-write it post-facto.

Amazing Thing: apparently you can use your americorp money to go on a NOLS backpacking trips. say what! I am totally pumped. There is one going to INDIA! to hike in the HIMALAYAN MOUNTAINS!! right after my americorp programs ends--a little more money than my americorp reward, but i have already emailed them to ask about financial aid and airfare--hopefully they will see how brilliant i am and give me lots of money. and then i can go to INDIA for a month. If that fails, there are definitely more affordable ones in the US, so either way--Backpacking-a-go-go!!

Another option, volunteer on an international organic farm, i am not kidding you, they will give me money to do that--how about a farm in Cambodia? or the Czech Republic? The options are endless.

Other fun plan, there is an adventure race in the Adirondacks in NY-a crazy 24 hour race, that i could never do on my own (Run a marathon, bike 100 mi, and then kyacking) I might split it up with Keirsa and Kelsea though, Keirsa runs, Christa bikes, and Kelsea Kyacks. Sounds good to me. And then we can go celebrate in NY City. woot woot.

It never hurts to dream big.

p.s. this is me as schmeegor, the pampires assistant (a pampire is a combo Pirate/ Vampire, a schmeegor a combo shipmate schmee/ igor, get it? watch out for more creative combos)


a wampire, a pampire, schmeegor, and a coffip

promised red hair pics

i now know someone whose name is True Love. I am not kidding. True Love.

Tonight is a Halloween bonfire and I am super excited about my costume---expect pictures soon.

mark one off the list, i have died my hair red. Well, really i think its more auburn with red undertones, so not a crazy shade of red, but this is the gateway hair dyeing experience. Next time, we go a shade darker. its all about baby steps. (sorry no picture, i will post one shortly, though Shawna recorded the process on facebook)
I am looking forward to a Halloween bonfire this weekend, plus a dress rehearsal for the benefit concert we are giving. I am super excited because Rachel just asked Joelle and I to sing along with her on this piece that is intended for choir that she had been singing alone. It sounds really beautiful, if i do say so myself.
I have been exceptionally busy, what with work, rehearsals, halloween costumes, and hanging out with folks. I think I will need some major alone time soon or I am going to crash big time. and some sleep, sleep would be good. Maybe next weekend.

So we threw Nora a beat street birthday party last Saturday and it was lots of fun with the minor exception that the pictures proved to me that indeed dancing, especially me dancing, is better suited to dark, dusky venues. Alas, the kitchen of Monterey house was all too well lit. Oh well, I get a double dose of fun, the fun of the party and then the fun of chuckling at my ridiculous, black-mail worthy photos. And you ask why I am not posting any here, tsk, you should know better, my vanity can only take so much abuse.

disappointment = wanting to work out on a rainy day, getting to the gym only to realize that it is closed. bummer.

Kiersa made an enlightened remark the other day, that this is the year to do all those things you said you would do but never have acutally done. I like this idea and think I can get a good number of my life list things accomplished this year (please refer to the entry of September 21st). Hmmm, where to start.

It was really good to see Dad and Danny again, we had a good time :)

Yesterday was Friday the thirteenth and while I am not a superspicious person, it was not my best day. It was not due to opening umbrellas, black cats, ravens, or broken mirrors that my day was bad, it was salmon. Yes, that delectable pink fish that is supposed to be so yummy that I don't think i can ever stomach again. I did not eat bad salmon, rather, Nora and I decided to make salmon patties for dinner, along with our delicious roasted veggies. but what we did not realize is that canned salmon still requires you to sort through the fish flesh for bones and skin. I think I could handle gutting real fresh fish better than the procedure of sorting through 16 cans of super processed fish. yuck. we only made it through 13 cans before Nora and I both fled the kitchen. but i still had to go back and spend couple hours frying them all up in a skillet, which (nothing to do with my cooking, i swear) filled the entire shelter up with smoke. oops. thank goodness the weekend starts tomorrow. (p.s. even though Nora and I couldn't eat the patties, they were a hit, folks gobbled them up while I prayed no one would choke on a bone).

Well, Mom and Dad have just left and it was so good to see them. We hung out, chatted, ate, took a cold train ride to Levita, rode around in the country, poked around in shops, drove to Monte Vista, and had many group hugs. How I will miss them! But, lucky for me, I will get to see Dad and Dan next weekend- it is truly an October of Oakes.

Life is going well here in Alamosa, despite my tooth-less admirers and those pesky life questions. Today for lunch Mom, Dad, and I went to eat authentic Mexican at Marquez's. After getting our tacos we went to the salsa bar and loaded our food with fresh cilantro, limes, and salsa--I thought I was putting a harmless pico de gallo on mine (confidently following my lead and assurances it was mild, Mom followed suite) but the first bite introduced an excruciating level of spiciness to my taste buds and reinforced the truth that i am a gringo. Whodoggy! Mom was panting and I was about to eat my napkin when Dad rescued us by ordering more tortillas to re-establish equilibrium in our mouths. Yikes! The pain was only truly over after some Dairy Queen.

now i must leave, for a converstation with my brother awaits me.

dear megan stop. i am sorry i do not blog more stop. i miss you and will be very eloquent stop. love christa stop.



Lost by David Wagoner

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

today i did my hair in my new favorite hairdo (aka i have ten minutes to get ready and get to a meeting. Coffee Please!!) I don't have my camera otherwise I would have a visual to give you...but it consists of two nubbins on the back of my head and my scarf from prague wrapped around my head several times. yes! I am a twenty-two year old with the hair-do of a toddler. Let your inner child out to play once in a while, i say. Ahem...i would also like to announce my first successful batch of bread in the mountains, there is a lovely loaf of bread on my counter right now. woo hoo! And my Dad will be here soon! Jubilation! Today I was reminded of something Becca commented on, that I leap out of beds in the morning. It is true. Today I lept out of bed and hit the floor running. okay bye.

There is a bee trapped in the window beside me. He keeps buzzing around and colliding with the neon 'open' sign that is housed in the same window. If the bee could read he would be very confused.



Yesterday Shawna, Emmy, Alex, Angelina, and I took an impromptu hiking trip up to Zapata Falls. It was more of a nice walk than hiking, but I felt very adventurous since we opted to walk up the stream bed rather than take the trail. We leaped from slippery boulder to slippery boulder, defying death in order to view the falls inclosed within tall rock walls (or rather, we easily hopped from stone to stone, occasionally getting our feet damp). It was lovely and lots of fun. The view of the surrounding snow-capped mountains was breath taking and you could see all across the valley.













Every time I get on the computer I have the same routine, I check my e-mail and then go through all the blogs of the people I know, in alphabetical order. Then I attempt to write my own blog, but usually by the time I get to my own blog I just miss everyone so much I am throwing myself my own personal pity party. Lately I have admired everyone's ability to express their emotions so well via blog, I myself am an extremely self-conscious blogger (unless I am feeling particularly witty) and find the process of decoding my mind too tedious and all too revealing a process for me to willingly undergo. However, I know from past experience, that if I fail to undertake the decoding process then I will spontaneously implode, stunning innocent bystanders with the sticky emotional goo that results from a rupture of my soul. So, how is my soul? Still processing lessons from the summer, still undergoing to reworking of my heart that will never be complete (a simultaneously comforting and disconcerting thought), still uncertain of many things. Weary of being on guard but unsure how to be more open. I think I am bad at being open because I do not like feeling weak or acknowledging my weakness. bu this is all old news, just reocurring. My spirit is constantly undergoing flashbacks and regressions. I have the emotional and relational maturity of a third grader.



The bee is still stuck in the window.

As many of you know I am very good at coming up with large-scale plans and dreams for myself, that I have at least five potential life scenarios running in my head at one time. All that to say I have composed a list of things I want to accomplish. I know I have done this before, but I think this list is shorter than the last (due to memory loss rather than accomplishment of items on the list) ahem...

Things I Would Like To Do:
Learn to Tango and Waltz
Memorize and Perform a Cello Concerto (in front of actual people)
Hike the Appalachian and Colorado Trails (in one go)
Get a Masters Degree (in something...)
Learn Arabic, French, German, and master Spanish (dare I add a slovic language?)
Milk a Cow
Run a Marathon
Canoe the Entire Length of a River (river unspecified)
Rock Climb a Big Rock a.k.a Mountain
Dye My Hair an Outrageous Shade of Red
Learn Guitar
Play Chamber Music
Write A Short Story
Make a Big Quilt
Live Alone in a Big City
Live Overseas
Be in a Band
Ride an Elephant
Master English Grammar
Make a Movie/ Doumentary
Master Bread Making
Learn to Ride a Horse (aka be a cowgirl)
Build a Treehouse
Go on a Safari
Camp in the Bush
Explore the Amazon
Travel To: Spain, Turkey, Thailand, Chile, Egypt, New Zealand(with Dan), Africa, Russia, Czech Republic (of course!), Germany, Denmark, Scotland, Iceland, Romania, Sweden, Bangledesh, Bulgaria, Iraq, Israel, and India.


Thats all I have for now...

I look online and see pictures and read blogs of people but (obviously) these electronic communications can not even come close to replacing a person’s voice or presence; in fact, they almost make the separation from these beloved people worse, its as if I keep running after shadows, trying to embrace them, and continually return to myself empty handed, with only a greater longing to hold something, someone real.

I am trying to research my life plan and I am reminded of a great line from a great woman; “God is continually tying my linear life plan into knots” True Story. What shall I do next? I feel like I can do anything I want but I don’t know if everyone else knows that.

i have not written for a while but do not have much to say really. As is always true, the same patterns and concerns of my life have not dissipated but followed me to Alamosa, so here I am, still trying to figure out what and who I am.

there are two people at the table next to me, clearly 'meeting for coffee' aka first-ish date. Needless to say there is much giggling on the girl's part and guaffing on the boy's, but the highly amusing part of this scenario is that they are both wearing the EXACT same shade of neony, bright, bright blue. ah, a couple made in heaven.

The day after my last post a man came into the office, a man that has lived in the shelter before but found his own housing and is working on a job. He had been having a garage sale that morning to raise some money to pay his rent. In the middle of his sale his landlady came up with her daughter and started hauling his stuff back inside the garage. When he asked what she was doing, she replied that he didn't need to sell his stuff, not to worry about the rent, that he would have a home as long as he needed it. She then gave him a check for five hundred dollars and told him not to worry about paying her back, that he would pay her back by showing kindness to another when he was able. As he was telling his story, he broke down in tears. so for each hard thing here, there seems to be a good one.

I went to santa fe with some friends this weekend, it was fun, we mainly just goofed around and window shopped.



Shawna shows us whats she's made of...





Joelle acts cool and aloof...like a rock star...



Keirsa, Joelle, and Shanna


grrrrrr...

So yesterday a man who had worked and lived at the shelter died. He had been sober and employed by la puente for eight months when he fell of the wagon so to speak, the director fired him for drinking on the job, though still payed his rent to help get through this rough patch. To no avail, for he passed away of liver failure yesterday morning. Another worker and I went to pick up the woman who was drinking with him when he died, cause she was a mess and we were afraid she would drink herself into oblivion. I was sitting in the back with her as she rcounted his death over and over again and the reaction of his family, which was to storm the house moments after they had heard he was dead and ransack it for belongings, even digging through his wallet for what cash he had. I have no words to describe how sad the whole situation is, the lack of hope, the habits and addictions hard to break that drive people into this cycle. Exactly a year and a day ago another member of 'the crew' died from too much alcohol. Who knows who will be next, for those mourning for this most recent death are yet again drowning their grief at the bar.

okay mom, this is for you, some pictures of my house and a few of my town, but not many because it is so small that people would yell out, christa! what ARE you doin'?. This town is so small that traffic is when you see another car on the road and I can cross diagonally across an intersection pretty much any time i want, unless there is a farmer's market.

Our house is blue with a green roof, i dunno, i like it.


There are two rat dogs next door, Pedro and Lulu, this is the latter trying to attack me through the fence. Give up little dog, give up.


The Sangre de Cristo mountains and a train. My walk into town.

This is colorado.


but i was looking at the few pictures I managed to save from the Great Crash of Christa's Computer 06, and am feeling a physical ache for the place and people of the summer.

Funny Story: I was pouring what was supposed to be just a touch of cream into my coffee when the lid dropped off of the jug o'cream, scattering across the floor, pouring a regular Niagara falls of creamer into my coffee, onto the counter, onto the tile, and onto me. That's nothing new for me, really, but I was a bit miffed when the coffee worker gal told me that if I just tell them I want room for cream, they will leave room - as if I hadn't realized, silly girl, that once the cup is full its useless to try to fit more into the cup, it just won't work. And she wasn't kidding either, she was dead serious. So with cream all over my shirt and shoes, I feebly try to explain, then hand her the rag I was using to clean up, and walked away.

Last night I went to the Bell house (home of Shawna, Rachel, and Emmy) to help decorate their kitchen curtains with potato stamps (not stamps of potatoes, but stamps made from potatoes)It was lots of fun and I brought over a peach tart I had made (inspired by Laura's incredible fruit tart) and I decorated two panels, one of flowers and another of monsters attacking a city. They are incredible. All this to say, I had been the first to arrive (early as usual) and was sitting chatting with Shawna when she asked me, "Christa, are you home schooled? We were having a debate last night and we couldn't decide, but there is something about you that just screams home schooling." I almost fell out of my chair laughing! For those who don't know, I am not home schooled but apparently was a prime candidate for it, or practically was home schooled, categorized by all my enthusiasm for crafts, cooking, and oter domestic silliness, i guess. Or as Shawna put it, I have an indistinct quality defined by lots of energy and excitement for life that, as she puts it, many public schoolers lack. I am not exactly sure what that means, but, my dear home schooled friends and my pseudo-home schooling mother, you have had an incredible influence on my life and you have left a permanent mark which all can see. Quick, get me a wooden spoon, bag of flour, and some calico! I have some creating to do!

(other things that were discussed about me, apparently, is the fact that I have had Sleigh Ride stuck in my head for over three years. Is there a cure!?!)

I have been reading lots of people's blogs lately and they all seem so profound and interesting while in mine I keep talking about coffee. I think this is because when I am feeling bummed I generally do not like talking about it or dwelling on it (besides the fact that my friends that keep blogs are amazing and really thoughtful about life in general, thus creating excellent blogs). I find that I tend to keep my head down and plow through the day, moving from one task to the next, especially when I feel tired or not particularly motivated. I forget to listen or look at things or people. So, yesterday was not a particularly nice day for me, mostly for the reasons above- me plowing through because overwhelming emotions and life-ness made me want to disable all communication with the world- but I was walking to the coffee shop (shocker) to email stuff when I looked up and around and saw the mountains to the east, the Sangre de Cristo mountains (blood of Christ) and had the very satisfying and relieving revelation that there is much more going on in the world than me. I know that sounds cheesy (I looked up and saw the mountains and knew that everything would be ok...cue dramatic string section to imply a life changing moment...) and I by no means 'felt' immediately better or knew I would be ok, but I did remember how big God is, which means He is big enough to handle, change, re-mold all of my mess and that the world is not my home or where I put my hope. so today is a new day and hopefully I will learn to hold this glimpse of truth a little closer (I have faith amnesia) and carry a little more grace with me today, in addition to my coffee cup.

today has not been my best day. i got some coffee in hopes it will push me through until tomorrow where hopefully i will feel a bit better, be a little more human. the coffee addiction continues. i would really like to be with people i trust right now, for coffee, a talk, a hug. but i am hanging on.

the coffee shop is about to close and i have five seconds to blog! i am doing well! last night our next door neighbor brought us the best peach pie i have every eaten in my life as a gesture of welcome! they have a bluegrass band, maybe i can bluegrass on the cello! okay bye!

so good news, work has become a little less overwhelming with each passing day. phew, but am i glad the weekend is here! I work saturdays, so my weekend is sunday and monday, which is actually good because a lot of things are closed on the weekend. I am at milagros before I go to church to meet the Staffords (connection from Charlotte) at their church and then they graciously invited me to lunch. Already cooking everyday at the shelter for 40-50 folks has put me off of cooking for myself, but thats okay since I usually get to eat what I make at the shelter too. Already I have made some fun things like pumpkin bread and peach cobbler (one little old lady asked after eating my cobbler, where are you from honey? North carloina I say. I knew you were from the south, with cobbler this good, she replied. Haha next up pulled bbq and hush puppies.) Its fun and the people are good, though sometimes in trouble and sometimes a little wacky. The most interesting encounters are people coming to the shelter intoxicated. yup I am building up quite the source of stories. My goals for the coming week: running and practicing driving a stick shift.

I have just finished my second day of work and I am exhausted! My first day lasted from 8 am to 9 pm and then I went back to work at 8 am (but only working till 4)again this morning. I think everyone is feeling pretty overwhelmed with the amount of stuff we do not know, in addition to being on your feet for 8 hours with not a break at all, we grab a bite to eat in between serving food to folks and clean up. I think I will feel better when I get a bit more in the swing of things. I still don't know what to do with myself in my free time, i think tonight i will take a long long long walk, so i can think and sort myself out before work again tomorrow, 8 am. thats all i can muster for now.

okay, first week of Americrop done...thoughts, reflections thus far? actually i don't have time because today is the official first day of work and i have a staff meeting in ten minutes. But I am excited!! So a quick story:

Sunday night the director of La Puente, Lance, invited us to his house for dinner, brave man, since there are 12 or so of us. My house was the first to arrive, they live only five minutes from the town outskirts, but that is far enough that they get the benefit of an unobstructed view of the mountains. They are a great family, so warm and welcoming, living in a lovely house they mostly built themselves out of recycled and found windows and structural elements. it is really cool. After dinner we walked across the field, climbing fences and wading through the tall grass. The view of the mountains is amazing, we could see the rain falling in the distance. We walked past their property into the field of their neighbor, where cows hanging out and we saw five horses galloping across the field toward us, a beautiful sight. the horses ran right up to us and they let us pet them and they followed us until we reached the gate which led back to their house. It was a great night.

i am in Colorado!! and i can tell this is going to be really good. okay update.

I am living in a house known as the 'rugby' house, named for previous tenates who were rugby players and had crazy parties. there are four houses total, all filled with really great people. my house mates are Carman, a cool guy from south jersey, with schooling in new york and aspirations in law. Also Josephine, a wonderful lady in her 50s who has an amazing life stories and who has already suggested twice we storm washington in protest of various corruptness and stupidity that occurs there. I am going to be working full time in the Shelter, which dissapointed me at first but now i feel really good about, i think it fits my personality better in that it keeps changing, i am with people all the time, i get to practice spanish, and cooking meals is part of my job description. heck yes.

i flew into Alamosa on the smallest plane i have ever seen, we are talking only 15 people and i can see the pilots and their view from the cockpit. the airport is one building and four hangers. The benefit of the small plane is that we flew in low, right over the mountains, making me salivate with anticipation of climbing these 14ners. (hey becca, one of the gals here was an instructor at lavida-random note)

we are going on a retreat into the mountains tomorrow and i am really excited to hang out with people more. i don't have time to describe everyone, but each is unique and extremely talented. there are lots of musicians, a flutist among others. woo hoo

ok i will write more after saturday.

i just had a major flashback, do you guys remember pogs? i just found a huge stash of my brothers and am trying to remember what they were for...

I am unpacking and my computer has crashed horribly. like it won't turn on and it sounds like a little man is trapped inside trying to get out. oh well.

i don't have much to say except i see lots of things that make me laugh but i have no Becca and Lauren to point them out too. Like the lady who sat next to me on the plane had bizarre giant turquoise spider earrings. or i have been having dance parties to my sweet czech music and generally hanging out with myself. and some of my friends, like Emily, Jon, and Jennifer.

i will keep you all posted when something interesting happens.

I know I know I have not blogged in a very long time but I have been trying to store up and savor all of our last moments here because we leave TOMORROW!! I cannot believe it. so update.

On the 19th we went to a business and ethics forum and heard a man speak on micro credit groups in Bangledesh and the work they are doing there to help the people become sefl-suffficient and proactive in becoming economically stable. It was very good but sweltering in the room where wee were meeting. That seems to be the key here, it is always hot. Apparently its the hottest summer since 1932.

The Davis left on Tuesday so last weekend was so busy, trying to sqeeze in as much time as possible. We had our farewell dinner/ brithday for chris and laura celebration Sunday evening, going to our favorite restaurant Ambiente. Laura and Chris gave us all cute bracelets and Phil and Shanna had made us t-shirts with our nicknames on the back!! They are so cool- I can't wait to rock out my Praha style in the States.

Last night Micheal played in Toby's pub and Lauren made tons of brownies and cookies that we served while he played. It was an amazing penultimate evening in Prague-so much fun! They seriously would not let Micheal stop playing, the kid pulled a marathon set, taking requests until it ended up as one giant sing along. It is now one of my top nights in the city.

What does one do on a last day in a city you love full of people you love? We are meeting Micheal for lunch, walking the city, saying goodbye to the Syvertsons (tear), and staying up all night since our first flight leaves at 6.55 am, so we will be up early.

see you on the flip side.

Today we went paddle boating!! It was so much fun and so cool on the water. As usual, we had quite the adventure, with Lauren steering us into some shallow water where we got stuck on the rocks. Thanks to Becca we were able to shove off again. Highlights included encounters with another paddle boat in shape of a giant swan!

I got a new haircut (shocker!) from Mr. Chan of the Blue Elephant salon. It was super fun and I really like my slick new bob; no more hot hair days for me! Becca went with me for moral support and too make sure that too much was not chopped off the top!





We took a girl's weekend in the spa town of Karlovy Vary this weekend (you know, the town from Queen Latifa's film 'Last Holiday' check it out) It was lots of fun, with bizarre mineral springs, quaint scenery, and lots of shopping and good company. um, also lots off chocolate, check out this shop we found. check out Laura's blog for an in depth description of activities.

i forgot something that happened...this past week we three girls got really really excited about the opening of pirates of the Carribean here in Prague. We talked about it so much and arranged a huge group of poeple to go see it on saturday night...lo and behold, on the dawn of saturday morning we realize that it is not coming out here...until August 3rd!! Oh our grief!! we went to dinner and elvis hamburgers instead (see Becca's blog) but giant tears are welling up in my eyes as I recollect the evening. sigh. i must go, my sorrow is too too great.

While Becca was in bed last week, Lauren, Michael, and I went to the top of the clock tower that is Old Town Square (every tourist gathers on the hour to watch the hands of the astronomical clock strike the hour and certain symbolic things happen, like little people pop out and move around briefly, its actually very anticlimactic and on Stephen’s tour we watched the tourist instead of the clock because it is more entertaining to watch the disappointment and realization of how little this much talked of clock does than to actually watch the clock). The view was great and there was a band in the square playing jazz.







Last night we were at Sir Toby’s, playing cards and hanging out (it was really really hot down there) hoping to strike up a conversation with some guests but it wasn’t really crowded, so we were chillin’ on these long benches and tables that are in the anteroom to the pub. We were on the right and on the far left were a group of Brits and Aussies hanging out. We had been eavesdropping on and off, listening to their opinions of Bush and how to spot an American, when I heard one Aussie say “You remind me of a man” pause “A man with a power.” None of his friends responded so I shouted across the room “the power of Voodoo!” Becca and Lauren look at me quite puzzled, I think, as the Aussie, quips “You know that jingle?” I continue “You remind me of a man, a man with a power, the power of voodoo, who do? you do? I do? You remind me of a man…” (each phrase is supposed to be passed back between two people at rapid speed, continuing on and on). “Yeah, I didn’t know the end,” said the Aussie, and each table went back to their own conversation. Um, I learned it from the movie the Bachelor and the Bobbysoxer, Cary Grant and Shirley Temple. Tiffany Verch, where are you when I need you!! Ok, I know, I am a dork, certified, notarized, signed, sealed, and delivered. Add that to the list of how to spot an American.

Like just mentioned, it was really hot yesterday, so when we got home at ten-thirty or so, we were still sweating, even our flat was sweating and there was not even a breeze to stir the stagnate air. The only cure for these moments is an ice cold Magnum bar (the perfection of ice cream on a stick), just like the only cure for cultural dissonance is cream and dream. Lauren had bought me an incredible Magnum, Dark Chocolate and Coconut, which I decided to munch up last night. It did the trick, but while I was eating I noticed that the actual name of this magnum was ‘Dark Coconut Sound’ and the package claimed this treat was ‘the best of 5 senses.’ I am just amused by the fact that the marketing team thought if they put the word ‘sound’ into the bar title then that accounts for that sense being satisfied in their claim to be the best of all 5. Really, I can understand taste and sight, even stretch touch if you count how satisfying it is to bite into something cold and smell because it’s chocolate, but sound…um…does the bar sing to me? Does the bar have musical or oratory talents of any kind? Unless their argument is that silence is the best sound (wrong on so many levels), they have some major false advertising going on. I think I need to write a strongly worded letter to the Magnum Corporation, I have been misled and this wrong will only be righted with a life-time supply of chocolate ice cream bars.

Exciting up coming things:
-I am in charge of organizing a distribution of lunches to some of the homeless folks in Prague, I am hoping some hostel guests will come, and some other non-Christians, so that it will be a ministry on many levels. Please pray that I will remember all the details and remember its not about the details.
-Wednesday evening the girls and I are attending a business and ethics forum that meets every so often here in Prague, listening to a speaker and having dinner. It should be really interesting and I am very excited.


I don’t write a lot about what is going on in my heart on my blog, but let me just say I have been really aware of my weaknesses and feeling like I am plagued by old wounds and insecurities a lot this past week. I have learned a lot this summer about community and the need to share your life with people, as imperfect as your life may be, because that allows God to work more in you and allows Him to love and comfort you through other members of the body of Christ, while also allowing Him to use your life, my life, to reveal His glory in our weakness. World Harvest is really good about emphasizing that we minister through our brokenness and I am so glad because I am really bad about putting pressure on myself to perform and understanding God’s grace. Our brokenness enables us to see God more.

I have much blogging to make up for so here comes a doosey of a blog. ahem.

defenestration alert: there has been another victim of the kitchen window- my minced garlic. I had bought some very fresh (and potent) garlic from the corner store and had the brilliant idea to chop it all up so that it would be ready to hop into my pot at a moments notice. The unexpected side affect of this action was that the flat reeked and everytime you opened the fridge our eyes watered. Hmmm. I fought for the garlic but the vote was cast and it was sent flying to its doom in the garden. alas.

I was thrilled to note (on our first week of arrival but i have failed to write about it) that the intersection that we live on is Baranova and Kristanova. That’s right, someone in the clever Praha government knew of my arrival and named a street after me (they are so sweet!) even if they did spell it wrong. Thus I have a little bit of fame in Praha 3.




You know you are in Praha when…..you are riding on the tram and someone starts playing the accordion! We were packed on to tram 30, heading into town (i mean packed, like I was getting to know the people of Praha because I was in their face and there was no personal bubble) and all of the sudden this adolescent girl starts up a tune. It was quite soothing and people obligingly slipped coins into her plastic cup tapped to the side of her instrument. Sadly, she only rode for three or so stops, but I think her profits were good, so perhaps she will return to serenade us again.

Two weeks ago the girls and I did a walking tour with a man (slightly crazy) named Stephen. He was once a professor of History in Germany and apparently is in Prague working on a book or a movie or something. It was one of those unforgettable tours, but due more to the personality of our leader than the amount of information learned. It was wearying, however, for four of the five hours were spent walking. I really don’t know what I could say to give you the full experience of Stephen, its one of those things you just have to see for yourself. Stephen is a big softy, I think, under his gruffness, and today is his birthday. Happy Birthday Stephen!







So we get really excited about American food in Prague, you know, the things that they don’t do quite the same. For example, they don’t have Oreos here, they have to be sent from family or bought at exorbitant prices. We went with the Davis’ to a place called ‘Red, Hot, and Blue’ and they have a little cache of American delicacies, like mac and cheese, hard to find brown sugar, Oreos, Cheerios, and the like. I don’t have to describe the delight of Clark and Lucy at having more mac and cheese, the pics say enough.






Owen, Lucy, and Clark are possible the only people who love ice cream more than we three interns. Owen loves it so much that he has made up his own name for it and everyone is baffled as to its origin. To him, ice cream is ‘Ahmaney’ (I am spelling phonetically, since this word does not exist) He is starting to just say ice cream more, but Ahmaney is still strong in his understanding of a frosty delightful treat. This story is really just an excuse for me to put up cute pictures of all three eating Ahmaney at the pool.

Today was Jan Huss Day! Hooray! It was the anniversary of Jan Huss' martyrdom, a man who stood for church reformation, advocate for both the wine and bread elements of communion being given to the congregation and was against the church owning property among other things. We went to his statue and handed out fliers about who he was and his role in history, for the tourists but also the locals, because very few people know the true role of Jan Huss, as his role was manipulated by many a communist regime to represent different aspects of their agenda. Anyway, it was a beautiful day and some interesting conversations resulted from the pamphlets. Clark and Lucy were there, as well as Phil, Shanna, Sunny, Micheal, and Lauren, and these cute kids were quite the dynamic duo in handing out fliers. Who can resist these charmers, really!

After lunch, Lauren, Micheal, and I went to the clock tower and climbed to the top, for a great view of the city. Then we walked around on the other side of the river, enjoying the beautiful day.

Poor Becca has been sick the past three days, so she has be re-couping in the flat, but I think she is on the mend, so soon the three of us will be on the town again!

words in action

As many of you know I am a fan of big words, so you can imagine my delight when I discovered that Prague is the city from which the word defenestration was created. This word has always been one of my favorites because it single-handedly expresses a dramatic action,as it literally means 'to throw out of the window.' Its so great, it allows for smooth articulation of a threat, like "Hey buddy, you better watch yourself or I'll defenestrate you" or can expediently express an emergency situation "Oh No! She has been defenestrated!" Apparently the Czech people have had many incidences within their political history where they felt it was necessary to express their opinions or disagreement by housting those in disaccord out the window. (For another fun random fact, window is one of the few words I know in Czech, it is 'okno'). I believe once the initial defenestration occurred, the results were so satisfactory that whenever an appropriate occasion presents itself, Czechs cannot help but follow the same course of action. These people are brilliant, I think they invented the rubix cube as well, and contacts lenses.

We have had several defenestrations of our own since we have occupied our new flat a couple of stories up from our first flat. I believe I have already mentioned the defenestration of our poor sunflower. And last night Becca and Lauren had another defenestraion, this time the victim a helpless but hefty watermelon rind that had been eaten that afternoon. I do not know all the details since I was in bed when this occurred (though I did hear the whisper 'shh, quickly, before the logical one wakes up') but Lauren heralded the watermelons fall with a loud shout 'Ahoj down there!' and gleefull laughing and screaming as the rind plummeted all four stories. I can only imagine that the Czech's defenestrations were as successful.

Last tuesday we went to this amazing pool (see pictures on the Davis' blog, they go lots) and it has this incredible slide and no lifeguard so we can do whatever we want. All three of us girls would go down together, laughing and screaming. Unfortunately, the liberality of pool rules enables other people to abuse slide privelages as well, so our mini-slide train was constantly being followed by this other czech girl train of 7 to 8 teen girls. I was always the caboose and I can tell you there is no scarier thing than realizing that your train is too slow and there is soon to be a mad collison on the giant slide. Thankfully we always managed to spill into the pool, a mish mash of arms and legs, just before true disaster struck.

The Davis' good friends (you know, the really wonderful friends that you count as your family) Scoot and Cindy were here this week. They are a really great couple who have spent the last year in Rwanda, volunteering with a relief and development organization. I loved hearing their story and thoght it was so cool that here in Prague I have met so many people that have interests similar to mine in what they want to do in the world and how they want to help and impact the world.

I think now is a good time for my list of things I love in Prague:

1. There is no air conditioning so everyone leaves their windows open all the time, so we do too, which always creates a great breeze through our flat. Also, everyone has beautiful lace curtains in their windows, which always leaves beatiful shadows across the floor. But what is my favorite thing is when the breeze is blowing so hard that is pulls the curtain out the window and then brings it back into the house again. Its not a violent breeze, but want to suspends the curtain in the air so that when we are sitting just beneath the curtain it is like we are in our own lace tent. (even if this phenomenon is responsible for pushing our potted sunflower out of the window and onto the pavement four stories below us. ouch)

2. I love getting up early and walking all the way to the other side of the river. I don't know how far it is, but most mornings there is still a cool breeze and it is not very crowded and then I can go to kafico and sit and drink a whole entire pot of tea (usually Assam).

3. I love all of the parks that are tucked away in places you would never suspect, hidden behind walls, so that I can always pretend I am Mary in 'The Secret Garden'

4. I love Cream and Dream. Last night I had mixed berry, coconut, and yougurt. YUM!

5. I like being able to ride the metro without having to hold on, it doesn't always happen, but I like it when I can pull it off.

6. I love when it rains in Prague, whether I am riding a tram or leaning very far outside of our window before an afternoon shower breaks.

7. I like that the sun doesn't fully set until 10 pm and it is up by 5 am.

8. I like how everyone has dogs.

9. I like wearing skirts everyday.

10. I like the smells of fresh baked bread that are everywhere.

Thats all for now- until later...