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Sunday, September 29, 2013

Special Guest Post : What A Trip!!



What A Trip!!
By: Alaynah Luttrull
Hey everyone! For anyone who doesn’t know, my name is Alaynah and I’m in eighth grade. But, more importantly, I live in Poland. Yes, you read that right, I live in Poland. Amazing, right? I think so, too. Anyway, every year, my school sends the entire eighth grade on a trip. We go on the third week of school, and we are gone for the entire week. Plus, there are no parents. Mwahahaha. (Rub hands together evilly.) No, actually, I missed my parents. Now, if I were to describe the entire trip, it would probably take a whole week, so I’ll only tell you the highlights. And some of the lowlights, too, of   course.
For starters, I was sick the whole time. It was only a cold, but we were outside a lot and it was cold out there. But I had a fun time anyway. I didn’t always feel sick, but I lost my voice for most of the trip. That’s probably going to come up a good bit more. We’ll see. ;)
I’ll start with Monday. We got to the Masurian Lakes District just after lunch time. I was in a bus for five hours. Five hours. Pure torcher. We were assigned cabins and cabin mates for the week and were sent off with the key. It didn’t take my cabin mates and me very long to find our cabin. Cabin eleven. At the very edge of camp on the back side.
One thing you should know, the cabins are triangular. It was funny because we kept bumping our heads on the ceiling. I think we were all used to it by the end of the day though. I loved our cabin instantly. It had two levels, and a curved staircase. The bottom level was bigger, with two couches, a bathroom, a small kitchen, and a wardrobe. The upper level had two small rooms, each with two single beds in them, and a balcony. We chose our beds (mine was one of the ones by the balcony) and left our bags on them. Then, we went back to the main building for a late lunch. The food wasn’t bad. I’m a seriously picky eater though, so it wasn’t my favourite, but it was good all the same. I especially liked the french-fries.
After lunch, we got with our TeamTime groups to play some games. Team building activities, the teachers called them. We played an Alpha & Beta game, where we had to act a certain way while another group acted a different way. It was pretty funny to see what some of us looked like trying to hold to our ‘culture’. After we had finished the game, we had a group discussion about what we thought of the other group. I was an Alpha, so I had to describe the Betas.
We had dinner then. And guess what? They had french-fries again!! I believe that the rest is self-explanatory. After dinner, we all want back to our cabins because it was raining and we couldn’t have to bonfire. It was disappointing, but it was okay. We wrote in our TeamTime journals and got ready for bed.
The next morning, I was up before the sun, at five thirty to be precise. I showered and got ready, then sat out on the balcony with my book. At seven thirty the teachers began wake up call. Once everyone was up and ready, we had morning activities. I had picture-taking time. After we had finished, we all gathered back at the main building for breakfast. I ate cereal.



 Again we got with our TeamTimes  to go through rotation activities. I don’t really know how to describe TeamTime. I guess I could just use the the name. We are a team. That’s the best I can do. So, I’m in Miss Tharelson and Pani Asia’s TeamTime, but my best friend and I were put with Mrs. McGuier’s TeamTime for the week. I don’t know why, but I’m glad we were. I made a few new friends in that group.

Our first rotation was the ropes course. That was really fun. It was difficult, yes, but it was awesome. I want to do another course again soon. Then we had game time. Really, it was free time. We could do whatever we want, as long as we followed the rules. I stayed with my newfound friends and played pool and ping-pong until it was time for swimming. 
As I’m fairly certain you have figured out, we had swimming next. There was a water slide and everything! I swear I went down it two hundred times. When we were called out of the pool, we went down to the lake for our kayaking training. It was pretty easy. Boring, too.
After that, we had dinner. French-fries. :) We left for the bonfire after dinner. We had to walk in the dark. We had flashlights, but not everyone used them. The boys continually tried to scare the girls, but mostly ended up getting punched. They kept on. Persistent idiots.
The bonfire was amazing. It was really warm and cozy in the wigwam. We had cookie challenges, singoffs, and made s’mores. But since my voice was gone, I couldn’t sing. I mouthed the words, though. That was good enough. I had an amazing time. By the time we ended, I was exhausted. We went back to our cabins and went to bed.
Wednesday morning went a lot like Tuesday. The only difference was that, instead of pictures, I had reading. After breakfast, we all boarded the bus and went to the kayaking place. Once we got there, we were assigned partners and got into our boats. It was hard to paddle for as long as we had to. Seventeen kilometres. I do not know how many miles that is, but it’s a lot. We stopped about halfway through to eat lunch and let people catch up.
When we finally made it to our final destination, my arms were ready to fall off. I also had blisters on my hands. I still had fun though. We got back to camp with just enough time for us to change for dinner and the bonfire. I found my friends at dinner and sat with them. You will never believe what we had. Chicken, coleslaw, and… French-fries!!!!! Yum.
We did the same things in bonfire, but they were ongoing competitions, so we did the second round. We went to bed, same as before, but this time, I think we were asleep before our heads hit the pillow. I know I was.
Next morning, I had yoga. I’ve done it before, so I was able to do it. Then came breakfast, and then we got back on the bus. We went to a wildlife park, and I got some really good pictures. We were there for most of the day, so it was dinnertime when we got back to camp. We had dinner at the bonfire. It was cool but  I was sad. There were no french-fries. :’(
We sang songs and roasted marshmellows after we ate. The teachers even had a cookie competition and we all cheered them on. Mr. Yuen, my science teacher, won. By the time we went to bed, I was exhausted again. It was the best bonfire of them all.

On Friday morning, we woke up to find that almost twenty kids had snuck out. We weren’t supposed to be in each other’s cabins, so they got into a lot of trouble. We left after breakfast, so we could get back to school on time. The bus ride was even longer. We got back to school just after three thirty and waited for our parents to come and pick us up. My parents came to take me home and I got to see our new house for the first time! I was so excited. Overall, It was the best school trip I’ve ever been on.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Dear Ungrateful


I am ashamed to say that over the past few years I have spent too much time feeling like I’d been forgotten about or sometimes just picked on by God. It is ridiculous behavior for someone that has been so blessed, but it is the truth. Yes, it was incredibly difficult and frustrating to be delayed and then in limbo for so long. But I would have been missing out on such amazing blessings that God had in store for me and my family if things had gone according to my plans. I drafted this letter to myself on the bus yesterday. Feel free to remind me I need to come back and read it if when I start complaining about something not going my way.

Dear Ungrateful,
It isn’t always easy when you don’t see the big picture. Please remember that God has promised that He is working ALL THINGS together for your good. There is no promise that every step of that process will be laced with situations and circumstances that you find comfortable. Actually, in order for you to grow and be a better person, some things will need to be quite uncomfortable. Your comfort zone can’t bring about any greatness in your life. The things you want for yourself and your family are way outside that cushy place where everyone likes you and you are happy all the time.
Stop freaking out when life brings a little discomfort! You really do believe that God has a plan for your life. Act like you believe it! Don’t start whining at the first sign of trouble. Stop. Take a deep breath and remember the blessings you have been given. Remember all the times that God has given you extra blessings that you didn’t deserve.
Sometimes in the grand scheme of things you will have to give up things that you think are really good if you want to have God’s best. It will be okay. God hasn’t called you away from things to leave you. He has a plan. Relax and let Him work in your life. Your bad attitude will only make tough things worse. And you will just feel embarrassed when everything comes together to be a huge blessing.
Don’t be THAT girl. It might feel good to complain in the moment, but it makes you look ridiculous when blessings come.
You are on a journey. It is an adventure that promises ups and downs. It isn’t always comfortable, but it is worth it. Be grateful for all you have. Everyday!
Romans 8:28 ~ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Sincerely,
The Girl Who Realizes How Blessed Her Life Is

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Good Medicine

Whew! Sorry to have vented but I'm trying to keep it real and sometimes real isn't very cute. Now that I got that off my chest, Let's talk about something much more fun and positive.
Tonight we got to do something that Jason and I LOVE to do: have people over for dinner. It's funny. We aren't exceptional cooks, we don't have fabulous treasures from all over the world to show off, and things aren't always impeccably clean; but none the less - We love having people over for a good meal and good conversation! I even found a trick here to make the house smell extra good. You just put a sliced lemon, rosemary, and some vanilla in a saucepan on the stove and simmer. It smelled divine! I, of course, didn't actually follow the directions. I just remembered the ingredients and measured nothing. It worked well, which means I will do it again. I hate measuring!

Tonight Jason's temporary boss and co-worker came to dinner. It was a great excuse for me to take the ugly table pads off and actually set the table!
Yes, those are cloth napkins. I don't use paper napkins ever. Not even with PB&J. But that's a story for another day!
I made mostly old favorites with a few added experiments. Because, honestly, what is a dinner party without the looming fear that something will taste terrible?
Jason grilled his famous burgers. He has now taught both of the girls to make them and they are so good. I am just glad to have a grill and be rescued from another dried out main dish that I attempted in the oven. Meat and I have never had a good relationship and I have happily relinquished its preparation to the family grill master! I did cut the fresh buns and dip them in a little olive oil for Jason to grill before he assembled his burgers. Sometimes I think it is the little things, like toasted hamburger buns, that make a meal good.
I did make his favorite: Spinach Salad. My girls were just thrilled to have bacon. Somehow I never realized how much they liked it until we came to a place where it is hard to get and expensive. 
I made my Christmas Spritzy Tea. I know it isn't Christmas, but it is usually such a hit that I decided to make it just Spritzy Tea and serve it in September!

It's really quite simple to make. Mix equal parts Pierre and Sweet Tea (Georgia Style with 1 1/4 cups of sugar). Add fresh lime slices and fresh mint. 

I was so glad everyone loved it. I always hold my breath when I serve something that I don't like. I know I should be ashamed of myself, openly admitting that I don't like sweet tea. It is a common misconception that all southerners like the stuff.
We also roasted some sweet potatoes (imported from the USA) with olive oil and rosemary. I prefer to use coconut oil because it makes them just a little sweet. I feel pretty good about being able to find olive oil, I am just not ready to attempt to locate coconut oil. 
So my big experiment was with our corn on the cob. I don't know what even made me think of it, but I wondered if it would be good to make a 'sauce' to drizzle over the corn after I cooked it instead of everyone trying to figure out how to butter it and look somewhat proper. So I figured I'd give it a shot. I bought double cream butter, added two minced large cloves of garlic, salt, and pepper. I melted it and drizzled it over the corn. And lucky for me - Yummy!
We finished the night with a Devil's Food Cake. 
It was so nice. I really do enjoy having people in my home. Even if none of my pictures are hung and are scattered around the rooms where they will eventually hang!
This was definitely just what I needed to nudge me out of my funk!

Sunday, September 15, 2013

An Unpleasant Truth About Living Internationally


Well, I think we have put off the inevitable as long as possible. Everyone has warned and cautioned and tried to prepare me for it; but I never imagined it would be quite like this. Culture shock! It is actually more transition shock, I think.

Whatever you want to call it, it arrived wearing an ugly mask at my house this week. Maybe it has been lurking in the corners of the yard for a while now and we have been too busy to notice. By Friday, busy or not, it has clung to every back that calls our little house in Poland “home”.

I expected it to feel like home-sickness. No, no, no. I think that would have been easier and is probably right around the corner. This is more of an ‘everything is making me mad and if I don’t get regular internet soon someone might die’ kind of feeling.

I think there are two main things that are contributing to my little bit of crazy. The first thing is a little embarrassing to admit. I think I am having some media withdrawal. I have never gone so long without television in my life. I’m bored. And stir crazy. A girl can only read so much before people in her family start looking at her weird. I’m working on my fourth novel since arriving. I won't even admit to the amount of time I have spent playing Candy Crush. We have stayed super busy but mindless TV, you know the kind that causes you to lose a brain cell or two, has always been the way I have turned things off in my head. I even get tired of hearing myself talk!

The second thing has everything to do with the language. It can be downright frustrating to not know what is going on around you. It too often requires you to settle for however things end up. It makes me feel dumb and many times powerless. My inner control freak really hates when that happens. I have gained a new appreciation for people who struggle with literacy or are visiting the US. It is aggravating not to be able to read the signs and help yourself.

So, now that you understand why I have been fighting a permanent scowl the entire weekend; let me tell you what I am excited about. Tomorrow I start Polish Language Classes! Anyone who has known me for a while just laughed out loud. Let’s just say that, for me, learning a foreign language has never gone too well. Jason cannot believe how excited I am. I have already gotten a new notebook and colored pens ready for class!!! I never said I wasn’t a complete geek.

I am hopelessly in love with any kind of school. This fact has never carried over into language. But this time it has. Maybe I am just in a culture shock stupor and will come home even more aggravated, but somehow I doubt it. It is the start of finding some much-needed independence in Poland. It might just be the key to kicking this overall bad attitude out of my house for good! In all the preparation for culture shock, I don't remember anyone telling me how long this grumpy, tired period will last. I am sure ready to send it packing!

You might want to say a little prayer for Jason, too. He starts class tomorrow as well. He may or may not be less than enthusiastic about the idea. I think he will do great!

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Remembering

I woke up this morning with a heaviness of heart. By the time I finished with the parent meeting at school (early morning in the US) my FaceBook was already covered with sweet statements of remembrance and beautiful tributes.

How do I pay proper tribute to this day? Which picture is most appropriate? What sayings adequately project the emotions so many share each September 11th?

I have mulled it over most of the day and come up with just one conclusion:

The best tribute I can pay to those who lost family and friends,
to those who sacrificed so much to save others,
to those who survived the terrifying day

Is. To. Live!

To not be afraid.
To hug my babies a little longer.
To kiss my husband one more time.
To be in a foreign country and go about my day without fear.
To embrace my friends from other countries without prejudice.
To enjoy life and all of its opportunities.

Terrorism only works when it can cause people to live in fear, when it can scare others into submission, or when it can limit us:
In the things we do.
In the beliefs we live out.
In the dreams we strive to make realities.

So today, though my heart is heavy from remembrance, I will take a few extra deep breaths, run in the rain, love on my family, and LIVE - outrageously, lavishly, and abundantly.