So the students on our project where an hour into their flight to Europe when they had to turn around because of a crack in the windshield.
Now they are 5 hours late and we have no idea where they are or what flight they got put on.
In other news Belgrade gets carried away by a swarm of mosquitoes.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Night Train to Belgrade
15 hours on the night train to Belgrade sounded like hell when I first figured out that was my best option to reach the project from Italy. Thankfully God intervened and it was actually quite pleasant.
there were only two other guys in my cabin so we could spread out a bit (it was a six bed cabin). One of them was a guy from Santa Cruz California so it was fun to talk with him. The other guy was Alex from Macedonia, he acted as our translator to the train guy who's english was probably worse than the japanese tourists.
The trip was mostly uneventful. I even slept pretty well except for the 'passport control' at 3:30am. They came and knocked on every door demanding passports. That was when i learned how good it can be to have an American passport. They didnt even open mine just saw that it was from USA. Alex's however they looked at for a good 5 minutes. That all happend right before reaching Zahgrab.
Then in the morning we enjoyed watching the Croatian and Serbian countryside roll past. It looks alot like the central vally of California. Flat but hills in the distance. All farm land. Bright red poppies lined about 2 feet on either side of the tracks most of the way.
The best part of sitting for 15 hours is that my blisters are MUCH better. Praise God!
Now I am in Belgrade with the rest of the summer project staff getting acclimated. The students get here in two days!
there were only two other guys in my cabin so we could spread out a bit (it was a six bed cabin). One of them was a guy from Santa Cruz California so it was fun to talk with him. The other guy was Alex from Macedonia, he acted as our translator to the train guy who's english was probably worse than the japanese tourists.
The trip was mostly uneventful. I even slept pretty well except for the 'passport control' at 3:30am. They came and knocked on every door demanding passports. That was when i learned how good it can be to have an American passport. They didnt even open mine just saw that it was from USA. Alex's however they looked at for a good 5 minutes. That all happend right before reaching Zahgrab.
Then in the morning we enjoyed watching the Croatian and Serbian countryside roll past. It looks alot like the central vally of California. Flat but hills in the distance. All farm land. Bright red poppies lined about 2 feet on either side of the tracks most of the way.
The best part of sitting for 15 hours is that my blisters are MUCH better. Praise God!
Now I am in Belgrade with the rest of the summer project staff getting acclimated. The students get here in two days!
Venice for a day
So I'm sad to say you wont be getting any photos of my trip to Venice on the blog right now. I checked my bags into storage at the train station and left. Once I was crossing a bridge and ready to take a picture i realized the camera was in my bag. I *did* buy a disposable camera and took a lot of pictures - just not digital ones.
The rest of the day I wandered Venice and felt my blisters at every step. Definately my favorite part of the day was when i took the water bus out to the island of Murano. (Thanks Karin for that tip). Murano is famous for their glass making. Its also MUCH less packed with tourists than Venice proper. it was wonderful to just stand and watch the men blowing glass and making various objects.
For dinner i decided to try something new so i ordered gnocci with 4 cheese sauce. I couldnt even finish it it was so bad. The only disappointing meal i had the whole time in Italy.
I think the day would have been MUCH better if my feet had not hurt so bad. All in all though I think I wish I had just stayed in Florence another half day and only spent 2 hours in Venice instead of 9 hours. Definately convinced me how much better it is when you know someone living in the town your visiting. (thanks again Kelly!!!)
The rest of the day I wandered Venice and felt my blisters at every step. Definately my favorite part of the day was when i took the water bus out to the island of Murano. (Thanks Karin for that tip). Murano is famous for their glass making. Its also MUCH less packed with tourists than Venice proper. it was wonderful to just stand and watch the men blowing glass and making various objects.
For dinner i decided to try something new so i ordered gnocci with 4 cheese sauce. I couldnt even finish it it was so bad. The only disappointing meal i had the whole time in Italy.
I think the day would have been MUCH better if my feet had not hurt so bad. All in all though I think I wish I had just stayed in Florence another half day and only spent 2 hours in Venice instead of 9 hours. Definately convinced me how much better it is when you know someone living in the town your visiting. (thanks again Kelly!!!)
Train to Venice
Monday morning I caught the train from Florence to Venice.
My seat was surrounded by a Japanese tour group. For the first half of the 2 hour trip I just watched the beautiful Tuscan country side roll by listening to everyone around me speak a forign language.
Then came the ice breaking event... one of the girls spilled her package of m&m's and all the Japanese and I started laughing. Esp. when the mom crawled under all the tables on the train picking up stray m&m's.
Shortly after that the same girl offered me a piece of gum. I'm not sure if it was the brand or the flavor the the name on the gum was "Kissing Mint". I politely took a piece and tried not to die of laughter again.
After that the girl and her mother began trying to communicate with me. Their english was extremely limited and my japanese is non-existant. But it was a fun way to pass the time.
My seat was surrounded by a Japanese tour group. For the first half of the 2 hour trip I just watched the beautiful Tuscan country side roll by listening to everyone around me speak a forign language.
Then came the ice breaking event... one of the girls spilled her package of m&m's and all the Japanese and I started laughing. Esp. when the mom crawled under all the tables on the train picking up stray m&m's.
Shortly after that the same girl offered me a piece of gum. I'm not sure if it was the brand or the flavor the the name on the gum was "Kissing Mint". I politely took a piece and tried not to die of laughter again.
After that the girl and her mother began trying to communicate with me. Their english was extremely limited and my japanese is non-existant. But it was a fun way to pass the time.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Florence Pictures
Here are a few pictures of what i like to refer to as the 'dry bones of dead religion'. Enormous churches in which life can no longer be found. sad.
I took a bunch of other photos too but i'll wait to post them.
Tomorrow: Venice and then on to Serbia.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Travel day 1
Well I made it safely to Europe. I'm in Florence now. Its a really cool city but I am so exhausted i cant enjoy it nearly as much as I want to.
Right now im just trying to stay awake until after 9pm so that when i go to bed i sleep the whole night - jet lag cure. 2 more hours to go.
I plan to take pictures tomorrow. i'll post some here when i get the chance.
Right now im just trying to stay awake until after 9pm so that when i go to bed i sleep the whole night - jet lag cure. 2 more hours to go.
I plan to take pictures tomorrow. i'll post some here when i get the chance.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Reviving the Blog
Hey Everyone (well anyone who still checks this),
In case you were unaware of my summer plans I am going to Serbia this summer on a Summer Project. I am reviving the blog as a way to keep people updated on what's going on over in Eastern Europe.
Pretty excited about the trip. My flight leaves this Thursday. I will be spending the weekend in Florence, Italy before taking a train to Belgrade.
Hopefully I will remember to blog here a lot this summer. So stay tuned...
In case you were unaware of my summer plans I am going to Serbia this summer on a Summer Project. I am reviving the blog as a way to keep people updated on what's going on over in Eastern Europe.
Pretty excited about the trip. My flight leaves this Thursday. I will be spending the weekend in Florence, Italy before taking a train to Belgrade.
Hopefully I will remember to blog here a lot this summer. So stay tuned...
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Ever have one of those days...
where you dont really want to do anything - at all? Im having one of those months.
at least i just blogged for the first time in 6 or 7 months. thats gotta be worth something. right?
at least i just blogged for the first time in 6 or 7 months. thats gotta be worth something. right?
Friday, September 21, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
14er
Well its been a little over a year that ive lived in Colorado and I finally hiked my first 14er. After camping at the base (which was still above tree line) and having a miserable night in the wind and rain we headed up Democrat.
Now for those of you in the know - I only climbed Democrat not Lincoln or Bross. For those of you Not in the know its a series of 3 peaks over 14000 feet that are often hiked at once. But after the sleepless night we decided one was enough.
1 down 51 to go. :)
** a 14er is any mountain with a summit over 14000 feet. There are 52 (or 56 if you talk to some people) in the state of Colorado. **
Now for those of you in the know - I only climbed Democrat not Lincoln or Bross. For those of you Not in the know its a series of 3 peaks over 14000 feet that are often hiked at once. But after the sleepless night we decided one was enough.
1 down 51 to go. :)
** a 14er is any mountain with a summit over 14000 feet. There are 52 (or 56 if you talk to some people) in the state of Colorado. **
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Book recommendation
Family, Friends, Random Strangers...
I just read a book this past week that I would recommend to you all. It is called 'Epicenter' and it was written by Joel Rosenburg.
Joel Rosenburg is the guy who's fiction books have this nasty habit of coming true. Like terrorists flying airplanes into buildings... which he wrote about (but didnt get published) before 9/11. In this book he starts off explaining how he seems to "predict" future events so often. Then he goes on to explain some headlines he thinks we'll see in the next several years.
How does he do it? Basically he read Ezekiel 38&39 and thought it sounded like it could happen in our time. He has worked with a number of international heads of state so he picks their brains on whats happening in the world. Then he just started writing fiction books of how he thought the world could be brought to the point where Ezekiel's prophecy came true.
At the very least it is extreemly insightful into what some of the world leaders are thinking right now.
Read it. Tell me what you think.
I just read a book this past week that I would recommend to you all. It is called 'Epicenter' and it was written by Joel Rosenburg.
Joel Rosenburg is the guy who's fiction books have this nasty habit of coming true. Like terrorists flying airplanes into buildings... which he wrote about (but didnt get published) before 9/11. In this book he starts off explaining how he seems to "predict" future events so often. Then he goes on to explain some headlines he thinks we'll see in the next several years.
How does he do it? Basically he read Ezekiel 38&39 and thought it sounded like it could happen in our time. He has worked with a number of international heads of state so he picks their brains on whats happening in the world. Then he just started writing fiction books of how he thought the world could be brought to the point where Ezekiel's prophecy came true.
At the very least it is extreemly insightful into what some of the world leaders are thinking right now.
Read it. Tell me what you think.
Monday, August 27, 2007
my weekend
This past summer I got a $10 bike at a garage sale. It served me well at the Conference in Ft. Collins. Since returning to Boulder it's lived at my bosses house because I hadn't had a chance to retrieve it. So this weekend was finally the right time and I picked it up Saturday.
On Sunday evening my roommates and I went on an epic bike ride exploring various trails in Boulder. Now I have to clarify for my Boulder friends that it wasn't epic in miles traveled as I know you all ride 50 miles for a warm up, but it was epic in the sense of discovering new and hidden parts of the city.
Finally it was time to head back to the casa. There was one large hill before the mostly flat return to the house. (home was still a few miles away mind you). So we mentally prepared ourselves and began the climb. About 1/2 way up the hill disaster struck. The chain on my bike snapped like a piece of twine.
Now a bike with no chain isn't really a bike at all. Its a giant awkward scooter with a seat. Luckily my two roommates came to my rescue. One pushed me while the other rode ahead to push the cross walk buttons so i wouldn't have to stop and lose my momentum at every street. it was an arduous journey but eventually we make it back safely.
In other news i used my birthday money to buy a new phone. Thank you to all of you who contributed to that cause (parents and grandparents).
On Sunday evening my roommates and I went on an epic bike ride exploring various trails in Boulder. Now I have to clarify for my Boulder friends that it wasn't epic in miles traveled as I know you all ride 50 miles for a warm up, but it was epic in the sense of discovering new and hidden parts of the city.
Finally it was time to head back to the casa. There was one large hill before the mostly flat return to the house. (home was still a few miles away mind you). So we mentally prepared ourselves and began the climb. About 1/2 way up the hill disaster struck. The chain on my bike snapped like a piece of twine.
Now a bike with no chain isn't really a bike at all. Its a giant awkward scooter with a seat. Luckily my two roommates came to my rescue. One pushed me while the other rode ahead to push the cross walk buttons so i wouldn't have to stop and lose my momentum at every street. it was an arduous journey but eventually we make it back safely.
In other news i used my birthday money to buy a new phone. Thank you to all of you who contributed to that cause (parents and grandparents).
Monday, August 20, 2007
milestone
My car just crossed the 100,000 miles line. I think that means he's middle aged in car years. So for his midlife crises I bought him new tires. Seems to have made him happier... or atleast stop making wierd noises and pulling to the right.
Monday, July 23, 2007
minor health miracle
Ok so im sure most of you would not think anything of this, but to me my visit to the health fair today resulted in me receiving news that borders on the miraculous.
Yes its true - my blood pressure was and i quote "text book normal". My pulse was in the 'normal' range. Even my skin fold test result said i was only 2% over the average range for fat percentage for my age.
amazing as it may seem - IM HEALTHY!!!
tomorrow i go back for blood work, im praying those results will come back just as positive.
Yes its true - my blood pressure was and i quote "text book normal". My pulse was in the 'normal' range. Even my skin fold test result said i was only 2% over the average range for fat percentage for my age.
amazing as it may seem - IM HEALTHY!!!
tomorrow i go back for blood work, im praying those results will come back just as positive.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
ok ok ill post...
Due to popular demand (read not so subtle hints from grammy and mom) im going to post a quick update...
Im in Fort Collins Colorado for the summer, working at the staff conference.
So far its been a fun summer. I've taken a class, worked with registrations, worked on some computers, been extremely social, discovered i am much more of an extrovert than i ever thought, gone on a couple of dates with various girls, enjoyed diverse coffee shops, and begun pursuing a 1 year stint overseas. That was the slow part of the summer.
My life is about to get insanely busy this week and probably continue to be for the next 2 or 3 weeks with getting the main convention area setup and keeping it running through the main 10 day conference. (on top of continuing to do everything i mentioned above).
ok probably wont post again til august. enjoy this brief glimpse into my life.
Im in Fort Collins Colorado for the summer, working at the staff conference.
So far its been a fun summer. I've taken a class, worked with registrations, worked on some computers, been extremely social, discovered i am much more of an extrovert than i ever thought, gone on a couple of dates with various girls, enjoyed diverse coffee shops, and begun pursuing a 1 year stint overseas. That was the slow part of the summer.
My life is about to get insanely busy this week and probably continue to be for the next 2 or 3 weeks with getting the main convention area setup and keeping it running through the main 10 day conference. (on top of continuing to do everything i mentioned above).
ok probably wont post again til august. enjoy this brief glimpse into my life.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Desert in Bloom
I am in Tucson raising support right now and I have to say anyone who thinks the desert is an empty dead place has never visited in the spring. There are flowers EVERYWHERE here. I've taken a few pictures to show you... enjoy!
(ok the last one isn't a flower but it still looked cool)
(ok the last one isn't a flower but it still looked cool)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
Oh how i miss thee
So last week I was in Orlando.
I realized something I never thought would be true... I miss it. So many good friends and good memories. Strangely enough it almost felt like.. well .. home. I guess living somewhere for 2 years will do that to ya.
I realized something I never thought would be true... I miss it. So many good friends and good memories. Strangely enough it almost felt like.. well .. home. I guess living somewhere for 2 years will do that to ya.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
BIG NEWS.
i just thought i should fill you in on a little something new in my life...
i think i like it... you could say its growing on me... LOL
i think i like it... you could say its growing on me... LOL
Monday, January 15, 2007
Snow Picts!!!!!
Here are some beautiful pictures I took on my day off today. These were taken hiking in the snow along the flatirons right outside Boulder. Hopefully these will tide people over til I actually write about my life again. :)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Blizzard like conditions
Well I escaped Colorado right before the snow hit last week. I'm sure you heard all about the crazyness of the snow storm. Well I'm back now. And it looks like the Colorado weather is going to have another go at hitting me! Word on the street is we have another foot or so headed our way.
I'm also not feeling very well and Christmas conference is coming rapidly. Please pray that I will get well and be able to finish everything before conference.
I'm also not feeling very well and Christmas conference is coming rapidly. Please pray that I will get well and be able to finish everything before conference.
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