In an overview to my first year of living in a foreign country, I would like to end it with a look at my losts and founds.
Lost
When I missed my train from Budapest not 1 time but 2 times, on my way home from Christmas holidays.. :)
I tried to cook pizza in a pan on my stove and melted a plastic plate that I left on top of the pizza...why I did this, I am not too sure...
The first time I tried to find the school I was teaching in I got so frustrated that I couldn't find it (gave up) and called someone to only find that I was standing in front of the school.
Every time I go shopping and the person at the register happens to ask me something other than I common expressions I know in Hungarian and I get super confused and just smile and say "I speak English."
When we rode a train from Prague illegally because we thought we bought a 2 way ticket that was actually a 1 way and I proceeded to bargain with Hungarians on our train to exchange my HUF for their Czech Crowns so we could pay for the ticket.
I could have an entire series on tram stories but my favorite: when I tried to board a crowded tram and decided against it but the tram waited there while I awkwardly stared at everyone on it...then an older couple welcomes me on, makes some space for me, and the woman just puts her arms around my waist hugging me like my own personal seatbelt.
When I rode my bike for the first time in Miskolc I took a safe bike path to the fitness center where I do Zumba classes but had to cross a busy intersection where I bounced over a huge curb that I didn't notice and EVERYTHING in my basket popped out of the front of it, like water bottle, keys, wallet, and phone. The magical Nokia block phone...broke into 3 pieces and was still working perfectly.
Found
Communicating with a man on the tram about the Miskolc National Theater in Hungarian :)
Talking with a girl from the orphanage about her suicidal thoughts and seeing those thoughts subside and a beautiful, full of life girl return
Getting to see some of the most beautiful places in Europe from Poland's Christmas Market Square, Czech Republic's castles, Germany's street art, Slovakia's mountains, Belgium's architecture and food, and Hungary's sea :)
Living across an ocean but being reminded of where I am from everyday when I see Jack Daniel's signs in every pub and restaurant and on people's shirts
Finally opening the door at church all by myself (Alyssa, I did it!)
Having numerous conversations with students who are willing to confide in me about their struggles and are transparent with me about their lives...Praise God that I can influence them and give them spiritual advice.
Sitting at the dinner table(s) at the orphanage, which are filled with about 10 people including myself waiting for a hot meal and looking around and thinking, this is home :) That is what I would miss if I didn't have this family from the orphanage. This is what home is to me, a house filled with joyful, loving people just like my family in Tennessee.
