Updated pictures...

already thursday..

I cannot believe how fast this week has gone. There isn't a ton of new stuff that you all would find fascinating. Instead, a lot of normal stuff and a lot of growth.

I started off the week with a seemingly normal monday until I got to lunch where I was so frustrated. I bring my lunch to school pretty much every day of the work week, but I usually bring peanut butter and jelly sandwich with tangerines or something equally simple. These meals are not considered to be real food in the eyes of some of my new friends. Therefore, during the duration of my meal, they told me about the other things I should've packed for myself. I never pictured that something as small as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich should become a cultural issue. However, it got me to thinking about the simple elements of life that I take part in while in the states, but here are interpreted as abominable. One of the things that always makes me laugh is the belief that if women sit on the concrete ground, they will become infertile. This one puzzles me every time someone brings it up. Good thing someone finally told me, but it might be too late! I have been sitting on the concrete for years, so I must have no chance of having children now.. sorry mom!

On a different note, a friend of mine gave me some very solid advice. ready? "chill out" that was it. I have definitely been analyzing everything lately. Every person I talk to I wonder if I should've said something different. Every piece of clothing that I wear, I worry if I dressed up enough. Every class I take, I wonder if I should've sat by someone different. ahh.. so exhausting. Part of the reason that I knew God wanted me to go to Lithuania was because He wanted to give me a chance to rest in Him. Analyzing everything is not resting.. so exhausting. It was exactly the advice that I needed. And ever since, I have been trying to embrace peace and rest while I'm here. It's not something I am any good at. Actually, I am really bad at it. Analyzing and critiquing myself is much easier for me. So lately, I have been spending a lot more time drinking tea in my room, laughing with my roommates, and listening to music on my way home to relax after my day.

Thank you, God for being in control here. I don't have to be.

Finishing week one.

Hello my devoted fans...
Highlights of thursday-saturday: My roommates and I went to the gym at LCC, where we did cardio and lifted some weights. I actually made a goal with them to come 20 times during the semester. (We will see if I actually do it!) Later that night, my roommate and I went to a club to meet some of her friends from LCC. Some of my study abroad friends were there and it ended up being a fun evening.. not much sleep that night. Defnitely very much like the United State's culture. It was actually quite amusing to see that dating rituals and talking to the opposite sex is treated similarly.

Friday, I went to classes and during our cross-cultural seminar, the study abroads got together to discuss cultural differences and stereotypes that we had before we came. Pretty interesting, some where accurate and others were a little outrageous. After school, I went with my friend, Ona, to her grandmother's house that is on the other side of the city. She was very hospitable and (just like every grandma) fed us lots of food. She doesn't speak English and I don't speak Lithuanian so we smiled at each other and I said thank you multiple times. :) Unfortunately, ,that's about as far s I get.. Then, Ona, Annie, and I ended up having a great conversation about the differences between Protestants and Catholics. Ona even told us about how her grandma and grandpa would sneak to church during the Soviet times. Her grandfather was even caught helping the Freedom Fighters and was sent to Siberia.. It's amazing what people have been through here. So recent..

Saturday, (today).. Gintare took me, Annie, and Ben to Palanga, a town close by on the beach. The pictures are obviously from there. We hung out all day on the beach and drank coffee and tea to warm back up. What a wonderful relaxing Saturday it was. Now, I am safely back in my room contemplating whether or not I should do my homework.

Tryin' new things..

This week has been quite normal. Meeting new people who are very sweet and willing to help me with all my simple questions has been a blast of course. The weather hasn't been too awful. It's quite cold, but not too unbearable. I have been walking to classes everyday by myself and it's such a pleasant walk right through the center of town at the busy times. I enjoy it very much.

Last night, my roommates took me to a Jazz Club to hang out and get to know me better. We planned on going by myself, but I mentioned it to other study abroad students. It ended up being about 10 other study abroad students and two of my roommates. woops.. :) It was definitely a fun evening. The Jazz band was very talented and there were many locals at the bar/ club as well. These are pictures of my roommates and the other is Annie Nelson with Nadiya (one of my roommates).

Sorry this post is so short. I just didn't want to report how many hours of sleep I'm getting and the foods I have been eating... (lots of Ukrainian chocolate by the way!)

Beginning normal Lithuanian life..

I have finally begun living my life here instead of being a tourist. Thank you, Lord. Not that being a tourist isn't great because it is. However, I came to be a part of the culture, so walking around in big groups holding cameras kind of isolates you from the culture.

Anyhow, yesterday, we went to church at a monastery. The service was in Lithuanian and the church was beautiful. We toured the church and some people even played a 400 year old organ. The oldest in the country... it was very moving. Then, we walked to the top of the bell tower. It's about 7 or 8 stories tall, I think. But you know me with measurements, so I am probably WAY off. Then, we ate at a traditional Lithuanian food restaurant and ate delicious (and heavy) food. Almost everything they eat is fried or potatoes or meat; delicious, but very filling! The rest of the day was free time. Orientation was over! :D Real life in Lithuania begins! I met two of my roommates; they are Nadia and Sasha. (pictures will come later) Beautiful Ukrainian girls. They are 19 and 20. First and second year students. So I watched them unpack and asked them many questions about their families, Christmas traditions, and how to live in Lithuania together. They gave me many tips and suggestions for how to live and enjoy life here together. What wonderful blessings they are! We went shopping together as well to buy a few things from the store since we have to make all of our own meals. There is no meal plan here, instead we receive a monthly stipend for all food!

Today, we started classes. I walked to school today in the early morning sunshine, which is rare. It took us 26 minutes to get there today. Then, I had today: Intro to Bible 2(new testament), Human Development (psychology), and Intro to Theology. Tomorrow I will have the Synoptic Gospels. I am very excited about all three of these and am anticipating a great year of classes as well as new experiences. I met plenty of very nice people in my classes who were eager to meet study abroad students from the states. Then, I walked with a few friends to have tea and we sat and talked about politics and government for a while. Very interesting and eye-opening. Then, I came home and met my third roommate, Ira. Wonderfully friendly and beautiful roommate. She brought me chocolates from the Ukraine as well. (Everyone always brings chocolates with them!) Overall, I have had a positive experience, but am not very excited about being a freshman again. :)
Thanks for the prayers! They are definitely needed!

exploring my new hometown..

Yesterday, we went to LCC International University in order to learn more about the school's policies and a lot of other administrative information. We even learned some phrases in Lithuanian. Then, by some miracle, the other 8 students and I who live in the dorm that is 25 minutes away from campus made it back to the dorm on the bus. That was definitely only by chance that we did, but now we can successfully do it whenever we want. Yeah for us!

Today, we took a tour around Klaipeda. This is the city that I am living in. We looked around Old Town and downtown, learning a little about the history of buildings as well as hotspots to hang at. I am already falling in love with Klaipeda. It is so different from anywhere that I have ever lived and although the culture is quiet and not obviously beautiful there are so many things about it that make it so great. I hope the pictures give you glimpses into it!

Then, we went to "The Spit" the island that separates Klaipeda from the Baltic Sea and we went to the Sauna. If you haven't done this before please do! It's definitely not something that is super popular in the states, but many other countries do it. We went into the Sauna(it's the steam room that gets to be 100 degrees celsius) for as long as we could stand it. Then, you run outside onto the beach and then into the Baltic Sea. So, inside the room, you are dripping with sweat and you can barely breathe because its so hot in the room. Then, you run outside where it is snowing into the ocean. SO Exhilerating!!! and definitely exhausting! We showered off and went to the shopping centre called the Akropolis that has many food and clothing stores where we ate dinner. Now, I am back at my room.

Vilnus 7 January

Today is my first day of my experience in Vilnius, Lithuania. How strange and yet peaceful it is to finally be here. Thank you Lord for safe travels. I left Phoenix at 9:30 PM ( 21:30) and I flew to London(Heathrow) I arrived at 14:15 london time. Then I left there at 16:35 where I arrived in Amsterdam at 18:00. I took a plane from there to Vilnius, Lithuania and arrived at 22:45. When i got out of the plane, I went to the baggage claim to find 1 out of my 2 bags there waiting for me. woops.... :/ A man helped me figure out where my other bag was and it was over in Amsterdam waiting for the next plane out.

Nevertheless, I met Natalija in the airport with one of the interns, Altynaj, who were both happy to see me. This meant that they could return to the hostel and get some rest from the long day full of many airport visits. Another girl, Amanda, had arrived at the same time and we quickly headed to the taxi that was waiting for us outside. They took us to the hostel that was very nice. Two people per room with one toilet and two showers to share between the 6 of us. The other 6 were upstairs with the same situation.

Today, 7 January, we toured Vilnius in the normal tourist-fashion. We walked in groups everywhere with our cameras out speaking to each other in English, while testing out some new Lithuanian vocabulary. There are 4 interns and 1 staff member who were taking care of us all day long. We walked around the city in the -10 degrees celcius weather. Plenty of snow to go around a little too much for my liking actually.

We started with a Lithuanian breakfast at a restaurant that was delicious. Then, we went to a tour of a KGB prison, where they kept, tourtured, and killed thousands of clergy and freedom fighters. I couldn't believe the personal story that was told by the tourguide. He watched as the last of the KGB left that building in 1992. Then, we went to the supermarket where we bought our lunch (aka a roll and milk) with our Litas. Then, we walked to a church where we met our next tourguide who took us on a walking tour through Vilnius. We saw many churches and I learned that Lithuania is one of two countries that is famous for Amber. The Amber Museum was beautiful and held many stones that have been polished and sculpted. Now, we are back from our tours warming up our toes so we can go out to dinner followed by bowling in a little while.