Here is a brief review of exciting things that happened in 2013:
JANUARY:
Tiffany visited and stayed for three weeks which was incredibly helpful for me. Aside from hanging out, enjoying the snow, helping me jump the gate when it froze shut, and helping me figure out how to get certain places via public, she and I went to Dusseldorf, Germany for New Year's. It was really beautiful and I was so happy to share the experience with her!
FEBRUARY:
MARCH
APRIL:
MAY:
OCTOBER:
October was full of getting into new routines, the High School Fall Party (where I dressed as Hansel in a Fairy Tale version of a Murder Mystery Game), and ended with a weekend trip to Prague with Diana.
NOVEMBER:
November was pretty chill, school-wise. It was one of those nice months where you get into a groove and things move smoothly. There were a few special events, but mostly we all just enjoyed things going at a normal pace. Thanksgiving isn't a very big deal here but Diana and I got to enjoy the beauty of Austria with our friends when we went to a castle for Thanksgiving.
JANUARY:
Tiffany visited and stayed for three weeks which was incredibly helpful for me. Aside from hanging out, enjoying the snow, helping me jump the gate when it froze shut, and helping me figure out how to get certain places via public, she and I went to Dusseldorf, Germany for New Year's. It was really beautiful and I was so happy to share the experience with her!
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| Together again! At the ICSB Christmas concert! |
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| New Year's in Dusseldorf - which we inevitably ended up spending in our hotel room |
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| The weather was gorgeous in Germany! |
FEBRUARY:
February introduced me to "Permagrey." While the snow is exciting and lovely for a first-timer and with the excitement leading up to Christmas, when you're going on month 4 of grey, dark, misty skies, the novelty of it wears off. Luckily, to break up the weather monotony, ICSB has an AMAZING basketball tournament. Not only did I finally learn the names of a bunch of our high schoolers, I had an absolute blast. And a big draw for the tournament is that they sell American candy, so I helped myself to Reese's and Sour Punch Straws!
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| Snow! Going to lunch after church! |
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| Crazy Hair Day before the Basketball tournament |
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| I don't even think there are really words for this... |
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| 2nd place - not too shabby! |
March was more of the cold and grey until glorious Spring Break arrived and I traveled with four other teachers to beautiful, sunny, and affordable Cyprus! It was a time of much needed relaxation and reflection.
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| The Mediterranean was even more beautiful than I expected |
Spring arrived in Hungary and everything bloomed! It was absolutely gorgeous - and made the months of dark and grey worth it. Also, this month included a spiritual retreat in Austria where God revealed some shocking realizations and also started me on a journey to discover and experience who God is and who I am to Him. One of the astounding things about our God is that the more you know Him, the more there is to know.
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| Cherry blossoms |
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| Tulips in the front of my house |
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| Look! The sun and flowers! |
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| Millstatt, Austria |
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| Gorgeous mountains |
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| On my favorite spot - the dock on the lake |
My first year in Hungary, teaching, and at ICSB was coming to a close. As ready as I was for summer and for visiting home, I was not ready to say goodbye to my class. They are a very special group of kids and will always hold a piece of my heart.
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| Last day of school *sniff* |
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| Diana and I went to see a ballet |
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| With one of my students at Family Field Day |
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| End of Year Concert |
JUNE:
June held two incredible events: 1) A trip to Greece with my friends Jim and Amanda and 2) Going home! Greece was beautiful and a place that I have been longing to go for years. It completely lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations. Excellent history, unbelievable beauty, and tasty, delicious, amazing food! And then home - oh, to capture all of the emotions I felt would be impossible. Hugging friends for the first time in a year, staying up late talking to my mom, holding Wesley - it was such a special time.
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| View from our apartment in Crete |
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| Dinner on the patio |
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| View from the patio in Santorini |
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| Sunset in Oia |
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| The Acropolis |
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| Parthenon |
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| I was very excited to be here - dreams coming true! |
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| Amanda stayed with me in Budapest during what was probably the most miserably hot days I've ever experienced |
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| And of course, my favorite boy :) |
JULY:
July was spent with friends and family. I watched a friend's kids 2 days a week, hung out with Wesley, went to San Antonio with April, went to Little Shop of Horrors in Zilker with some great friends, and ate a ton of Chick-fil-A, Torchy's Tacos, and more Barbeque than I care to admit!
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| Passing on some valuable skills to my little sister |
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| Goodbye Barbeque with part of the family |
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| Good friends |
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| This kid! I love him so much! |
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| Visiting Grandmother |
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| Loved hanging out with these guys all summer! |
AUGUST:
The summer was gone and it was time to return to Hungary. I was sad to leave but excited to return! I returned to a new class, a new roommate, a new house, and thankfully the end of a heat wave. It was good to be back :)
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| With my friend Laura on St. Istvan's Day |
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| Happy to see this gorgeous sight even though I was painfully jetlagged |
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| Thankful for all the help I received moving various items of furniture - including returning the wrong fridge and exchanging it for the correct one! |
SEPTEMBER:
A new school year! A new class! And most importantly and definitely the most exciting - new believers!
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| First Day of School! |
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| Diana and Laura at staff retreat in Vajta |
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| Preparing for the Egg Drop |
OCTOBER:
October was full of getting into new routines, the High School Fall Party (where I dressed as Hansel in a Fairy Tale version of a Murder Mystery Game), and ended with a weekend trip to Prague with Diana.
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| All of the Fairy Tale characters |
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| Very famous clock in Prague |
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| Diana and me at the palace in Prague |
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| Skyline - a little grey from all of the rain but still beautiful |
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| Walking across one of the footbridges to get a view of the Charles Bridge at twilight |
November was pretty chill, school-wise. It was one of those nice months where you get into a groove and things move smoothly. There were a few special events, but mostly we all just enjoyed things going at a normal pace. Thanksgiving isn't a very big deal here but Diana and I got to enjoy the beauty of Austria with our friends when we went to a castle for Thanksgiving.
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| Fall outside my window |
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| Thanksgiving in Austria |
DECEMBER:
December was filled with Christmas activities, ice skating, door decorating contests, and Christmas with close friends.
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| Decorating cookies at the Elementary Christmas party |
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| Gigantic Christmas tree in front of the Opera house |
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| Matyas wearing the Stuck Santa headband in honor of our door |
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| My goodbye gift to Ben - he got to pie me in the face |
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| White Elephant gift exchange - I was opening a horribly funny gift |
It's been a good year! There were many ups and downs, but Jesus met me here and I am looking forward to a great 2014! Happy New Year!
