Today we went down south of Vienna to the Oasis. The Oasis is the place Chris worked a few years ago with International Teams. He spent two years helping out refugees who came to Vienna for many reasons from all over the world. I spent a summer doing the same thing, which is how we met. Anyway...
Today we went down there to help with a program they do called Clothing Room. It's basically where refugees come and take a number. While they're waiting for their number to be called, they are served free coffee and tea, and they have the chance to just talk to people. When their numbers are called, they go back to the closet called the clothing room, and they may choose four or five pieces of clothing that has been donated by churches in the U.S., Austrians, and others. After they leave the clothing room, they are given some small goodies that differ each week. Today it was coffee, a chocolate bar, and a small travel bar of soap. They also received some literature about God in their own language. Whew! It's an all day process, but definitely worth it. Often, refugees don't understand why someone would ever give them anything for free. It sparks questions and relationships. That's cool.
So today we helped out. I passed out the coffee, chocolate, and soap, and literature. Chris talked to many African men out on the front porch, and some of the time he helped the men choose clothing appropriate for them. Today was men's day for the clothing room. If I tried to talk to the men, they usually wanted my phone number and asked for a ticket home with me to the U.S. Perfect! I'm not interested. So, I kept my conversations with those guys short.
It's great to be able to help out with a ministry that we don't do every day. It gives the people who do it every day a break. We're happy to help:).
Monday, June 27, 2005
Dance Party for One
Our apartment has hardwood floors, and if you wear slippers or socks, it makes a great dance floor. So, last night I took my house shoes (cheap slippers that everyone has here) and my iPod shuffle, and made my own dance party, just for me. It was so much fun! While Chris fiddled around on the computer, I was danced around our apartment to a variety of fun music and no one heard a thing, except for my singing:). Hehe. I even did the electric slide, and a dance that my old roommates and I made up. I highly recommend this activity.
Friday, June 24, 2005
United Nations
Anne and I and a friend Heidi went to the United Nations European headquarters today. We went on a tour. It's made up of some really funky buildings that all interconnect. Check it out right here.
We got to see the conference rooms where they have the meetings with the 6 main languages being translated in various attached rooms. All pretty cool looking. It seems like the division they are most proud of and is maybe has the most security in the UN there is the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
We learned some interesting facts about the UN - how many countries are members (192 I think), the exceptions to that, the rules of some law about not doing atomic testing they they are trying to promote (41 of 44 countries have signed in agreement), etc. That was one of the more interesting facts - that with this atomic treaty thing, that all 44 countries that have the ability to make/use atomic weapons must sign. So the 3 of the 44 countries that haven't signed yet are India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Hmmm.... adds a little more depth to the things going on in international news.
We got to see the conference rooms where they have the meetings with the 6 main languages being translated in various attached rooms. All pretty cool looking. It seems like the division they are most proud of and is maybe has the most security in the UN there is the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency).
We learned some interesting facts about the UN - how many countries are members (192 I think), the exceptions to that, the rules of some law about not doing atomic testing they they are trying to promote (41 of 44 countries have signed in agreement), etc. That was one of the more interesting facts - that with this atomic treaty thing, that all 44 countries that have the ability to make/use atomic weapons must sign. So the 3 of the 44 countries that haven't signed yet are India, Pakistan, and North Korea. Hmmm.... adds a little more depth to the things going on in international news.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Hoffest
Tonight was the Robertgasse Hoffest...a party in the courtyard for everyone who lives in our building. It was great! The best thing about it was that we spoke German the whole time. This class is really paying off, especially for me. Chris usually does pretty well, but tonight I felt victory!
We met an Austrian couple, Sabina and Hermann, who run a business that works with Austrian schools and sports. They wanted to know all the best places to visit in the U.S. We then talked with a Japanese woman, Junko, who has lived in Vienna for 20 years. She teaches piano at the Vienna Music University, and we gathered that she must be REALLY good. After that we met our Hungarian neighbor, Zita. She is pregnant and due in August. I found out she really likes to run and cook, just like me!
It was really good to be around lots of different people and feel like we really are living here. We're beginning to build relationships with people outside of V.C.S., and learn more about the community in Vienna. That's a really cool thing. I'm happy we decided to stay here most of our summer.
Sidenote: I had another conversation tonight with the Indian guy, Olikara, in my German class. He taught me how to make one of his favorite Indian recipes. I wrote it all down. I'm SO excited. He told me not to hold him responsible, though, if it doesn't work. Hehe:). And, I learned that curry is really a generic word in India, used to describe dishes made with Indian spices. Curry powder is just made up of a bunch of other Indian spices, like the ones I've been cooking with. So, I continue to learn new things each day. How fun!
We met an Austrian couple, Sabina and Hermann, who run a business that works with Austrian schools and sports. They wanted to know all the best places to visit in the U.S. We then talked with a Japanese woman, Junko, who has lived in Vienna for 20 years. She teaches piano at the Vienna Music University, and we gathered that she must be REALLY good. After that we met our Hungarian neighbor, Zita. She is pregnant and due in August. I found out she really likes to run and cook, just like me!
It was really good to be around lots of different people and feel like we really are living here. We're beginning to build relationships with people outside of V.C.S., and learn more about the community in Vienna. That's a really cool thing. I'm happy we decided to stay here most of our summer.
Sidenote: I had another conversation tonight with the Indian guy, Olikara, in my German class. He taught me how to make one of his favorite Indian recipes. I wrote it all down. I'm SO excited. He told me not to hold him responsible, though, if it doesn't work. Hehe:). And, I learned that curry is really a generic word in India, used to describe dishes made with Indian spices. Curry powder is just made up of a bunch of other Indian spices, like the ones I've been cooking with. So, I continue to learn new things each day. How fun!
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Lange Nacht der Musik
This past Saturday was the Long Night of Musik in Vienna. It's a night where you pay 12 Euros and you gain entrance into over 100 concerts in the city between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. We ventured out around 7 and first we saw some jazz. We then went on to hear a really loud rock band, and on the way we watched a man playing 27 water glasses with a guitar accompaniment. It was pretty amazing! We then saw four elementary age boys playing stomp-like music on trash cans, ladders, and xylophones. Again...amazing. After that we went to the Wiener Musikverein and heard a concert called "Strings Meet Blues." Aside from the really cool concert hall it was held in, the music was great. We heard Eric Clapton, Jimmy Hendrix, Deep Purple, and other cover music played by professional Viennese musicians. After that, we grabbed some ice cream and heard little more jazz before calling it a night. Whew!
Friday, June 17, 2005
Flip a Coin Game
Tonight we played a new game! Before that, though, I experimented with Indian cooking. I made Dry Chicken Curry, and it was successful! I never imagined how many different spices go into one tasty Indian dish. I went to the Nashmarkt today to investigate. I bought garam masala (a common Indian spice mixture), curry leaves, and turmeric. I also used chili powder, garlic, cumin, and freshly grated ginger. It was so much fun. Our friend Heidi came over for dinner, too. She's here for the next two weeks before her vacation home, so we've been hanging out.
Now on to our new game. We decided tonight after dinner that we'd go to the O strassenbahn stop near our apartment building. We flipped a coin. Heads meant we'd ride it right, and tails meant we'd ride it left. We then rode until the next possible stop where we could switch to another strassenbahn. We then flipped a coin again. Heads we stay on, tails we get off. We did this for two hours in Vienna, and we experienced some new parts of the city! We took pictures along the way. You never know what teachers will do with free time:). Scroll down!
Now on to our new game. We decided tonight after dinner that we'd go to the O strassenbahn stop near our apartment building. We flipped a coin. Heads meant we'd ride it right, and tails meant we'd ride it left. We then rode until the next possible stop where we could switch to another strassenbahn. We then flipped a coin again. Heads we stay on, tails we get off. We did this for two hours in Vienna, and we experienced some new parts of the city! We took pictures along the way. You never know what teachers will do with free time:). Scroll down!
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
In the driver's seat, Part 2
Well, the day wasn't too interesting - except for this one huge gigantic monsterous answer to prayer. There are a bunch of students at our school whose parents work for the Nigerian embassy here. There have been some financial problems with their embassy and they haven't been able to pay a lot of their school bills. Well, I just happened to receive a phone call from the Nigerian embassy today (rookie CFO boy that I am). They said they now can and are paying everything they owe. Let me just say it is a HUGE DEAL and a big answer to prayer for Vienna Christian School. I feel like I just showed up and picked up the phone.
BOOM!
BOOM!
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
In the driver's seat
So, now that the school year is over, I've had a few days to spend with Gary. Gary is the current CFO at VCS (love those acronyms!) who is training me. Well, on Monday he said I was in the driver's seat while he roamed around and helped me out with questions. Well, he had the chance to leave for the US early, so he did. Today. So today I was truly in the driver's seat. It went pretty well. The highlights were that I bought paint for the guys that are going to re-carpet and re-paint my new office and that I interviewed a potential student and his parents. I just basically talked to them about the financial aspects of enrolling in VCS. I think it went fine - and the dad actually went to Miami of OH and lived in Luxembourg for a while - another Miami of OH connection there (double yay for Anne!).
So tomorrow will continue the adventures of Crispy in the driver's seat. I might even blog about it if something interesting happens.
So tomorrow will continue the adventures of Crispy in the driver's seat. I might even blog about it if something interesting happens.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Chinese with Koreans
This weekend we had a great opportunity to have Chinese food with the Kim family. Kiseok and his brother Kiju have been at V.C.S. the past two years because their dad is a diplomat to the Korean Embassy. They recently found out they are moving back to Korea in July, so this was our farewell dinner. Kiseok was in my class this past year, and Kiju was in fifth grade. This was the third dinner this family has taken us out to, which shows their generosity! Things like this are just like a cherry on top of a super tasty ice cream sundae!
Here's just a few of Mr. Kim's jokes...
~We must have fruit tonight, because if not our night would be fruitless!
~Any time you come to Korea, we can have a Seoul Train!
We'll miss his kids...and his humor:).
Here's just a few of Mr. Kim's jokes...
~We must have fruit tonight, because if not our night would be fruitless!
~Any time you come to Korea, we can have a Seoul Train!
We'll miss his kids...and his humor:).
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Paper Airplane
I am reading a book by Max Lucado entitled "It's Not About Me." As I was reading last night I was struck with a powerful illustration that I actually used when communicating my final words to my fourth graders today, on our last day of school.
Lucado posed this question: How are YOU and a paper airplane alike or different? Would you challenge the airplane to a game of one one one? Would you play a spelling game with it? Would you have a spitball contest with the plane?
The answer is of course not, but the point is this. We are infinitely more powerful than the plane, and it has no control or influence over us. We'd beat it hands down.
Lucado then explained that in light of the stark difference between us and paper airplanes, God is infinitely different than us. Why, then, do we try to compare ourselves to Him or what His hand has fashioned? Why, then, don't we seek to just know Him more? Instead, we think of what we can get from Him if we do this or that. How will we fare in this circumstance? If only God would rig it my way.
My whole point in saying this is is to challenge you to meditate on God's power. God is to you as you are to the paper airplane. Make sense?
We can try to compare ourselves to God, or even try to live life without Him, but when the rubber meets the road, we have no chance.
Lucado posed this question: How are YOU and a paper airplane alike or different? Would you challenge the airplane to a game of one one one? Would you play a spelling game with it? Would you have a spitball contest with the plane?
The answer is of course not, but the point is this. We are infinitely more powerful than the plane, and it has no control or influence over us. We'd beat it hands down.
Lucado then explained that in light of the stark difference between us and paper airplanes, God is infinitely different than us. Why, then, do we try to compare ourselves to Him or what His hand has fashioned? Why, then, don't we seek to just know Him more? Instead, we think of what we can get from Him if we do this or that. How will we fare in this circumstance? If only God would rig it my way.
My whole point in saying this is is to challenge you to meditate on God's power. God is to you as you are to the paper airplane. Make sense?
We can try to compare ourselves to God, or even try to live life without Him, but when the rubber meets the road, we have no chance.
Huts in the Wild
So I'm taking a German class for the month of June at the Deutsch Akademie in Vienna. I am one of two Americans, the other being the 5th grade teacher at V.C.S. We signed up together. The other seven students are from Bulgaria, India, Romania, Hungary, and Sweden. Often the teacher, Eva, asks us to talk to the person sitting next to us in German. So tonight I talked with Olikara, who is from India. He had some interesting things to say...
He told me that the U.S. is the #1 country in the world because we name our winds. When a massive, damaging wind moves across the U.S., the expert meteorologists name it Hurricane Andrew, Typhoon George, you get my point. Olikara says that the reason people in the U.S. do this is because there are already enough people in the country to make it function well that the other people need to have something to do with their time. Hence, they become an expert on something, like meteorolgy, or my favorite, naming wind. He believes that the U.S. draws all the brilliant professionals from the world to live and work because there is opportunity for them to become educated and apply what their skill. I deduct that in most countries, this is not possible, and therefore most people prioritize their time to accomplish daily tasks that allow the country to merely function. Maybe India is this way?
I had never thought of this before Olikara mentioned it tonight during our pause (pow suh), or break, in German class. Is this true? What do you think? I am thankful to be a teacher, and even more thankful that I had the opportunity to pursue a degree I desired. Much of the world is not this way.
Lastly, he told me that the people from years, back, meaning Native Americans, who inhabited the U.S. before the white Europeans took over, don't participate in this phenomenon in the U.S. They're still living in huts in the wild!
Hilarious:).
He told me that the U.S. is the #1 country in the world because we name our winds. When a massive, damaging wind moves across the U.S., the expert meteorologists name it Hurricane Andrew, Typhoon George, you get my point. Olikara says that the reason people in the U.S. do this is because there are already enough people in the country to make it function well that the other people need to have something to do with their time. Hence, they become an expert on something, like meteorolgy, or my favorite, naming wind. He believes that the U.S. draws all the brilliant professionals from the world to live and work because there is opportunity for them to become educated and apply what their skill. I deduct that in most countries, this is not possible, and therefore most people prioritize their time to accomplish daily tasks that allow the country to merely function. Maybe India is this way?
I had never thought of this before Olikara mentioned it tonight during our pause (pow suh), or break, in German class. Is this true? What do you think? I am thankful to be a teacher, and even more thankful that I had the opportunity to pursue a degree I desired. Much of the world is not this way.
Lastly, he told me that the people from years, back, meaning Native Americans, who inhabited the U.S. before the white Europeans took over, don't participate in this phenomenon in the U.S. They're still living in huts in the wild!
Hilarious:).
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Tick Shot?
I just received my second tick shot of the season. Yes, tick shot. Since much of Austria is the Wienerwald, meaning Vienna Woods, people are concerned about Lime's Disease here, which is acquired from ticks in the woods. So, as new V.C.S. staff members, we are required to receive this stick in the arm. The tick shots come in a series of three. The first, then the second a month later, then the third a year after that. I'm due for my third next June. For now, I hope I'm protected from ticks!
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