Adventure

I think I can safely say that I've finally settled in here.  While I was battling my cold a week ago, it was all I could handle to lay on my bed in the dark.  I was a little lonely and sad. But it "broke" at some point last Saturday.  Therefore, this past week has been fantastic!!

Adventure 1: "skating" on the frozen pond in front of LCC.  But really, I was sliding in my boots :) I did go legit ice skating a few weeks ago, though!  It was about $3 for two hours and free rentals and a free storage locker!

Adventure 2: baking.  This week, I made pork meatloaf with homemade bread crumbs.  I also tackled a broccoli quiche with an unknown cheese and homemade pie crust.  And at a baking night, I tag-teamed a lemonade cake with raspberry frosting with no electric mixer.  But all three dishes received rave reviews!!

Adventure 3: I bought a plant, simply because I could.  Yay spontaneity!  Oh, it's name is mazylis, or "little one".  So cute.

Adventure 4: continuing with "the one things happen to"....  I managed to fall down the stairs in the middle of about 50 people while attempting to exit my class.  Hello bruised knees.

Adventure 5: I let a dog into a building.  I paused as he ran up to me (I'm scared of dogs running at me no matter their size).  Then the sliding door opened and he ran in.  I froze.  I don't think he was supposed to be in there.  I awkwardly stepped inside and looked around.  I got some weird looks, like "what are you thinking, letting a dog in here??"  I figured someone had to get him out, so I called, "Come here, dog!"  Luckily he ran towards me and I was able to usher him out.

Adventure 6: venturing out in wind chill -8 degree weather to get hot cocoa.  Hot chocolate here is literally a cup of melted chocolate.  I already made that mistake.  Anyway, it was really inexpensive and super tasty!  I put in gingerbread flavoring, cinnamon, and whipped cream.  Totally doing that again! (pssst! Meet Emily!)

Adventure 7: ummm...Snow White Ballet anyone??  Dream come true, for $8.  #win

Adventure 8: fasting February.  A friend here suggested the idea as something she randomly made up.  But a few of us are going to fast from something or change a habit and hold each other accountable.  Me?  It may sound a bit corny, but I'm fasting from my time and "busy" schedule.  Every day I'm going to set aside at least 10 minutes to simply be in God's presence.  No music.  No journaling.  Just me and Jesus.  I'm so excited to see what will come of this!!

Adventure 9: church.  A few Sundays ago, I was quite in awe of how awesome it is to have people of many languages and cultures gathering together to worship the same saving God.  Services are longer, and I like spending more time in the Word!  The service is entirely in Lithuanian with "English translation if you so desire."  I'm the one being accommodated for once.  It's humbling to not be number one for once.  I almost feel like I have some amount of pressure relieved; I can be more easy-going.


It's been four weeks and I've already reached the point of not wanting to return home!  I love the simple living.  I love the improvising.  Oddly, I like not understanding things 99.9% of the time.

Until Friday,
<3 Emma