Hi All,
As some of you know, this week has been a bit of a struggle. As I find myself a LOOOooooooooooOOOOng way from home, living among complete strangers, in an environment that is totally foreign to me, I've been questioning my decision to come. I think I walked into this with a naive perspective - coming from a relatively small little town (heck, not even that, I'm a COUNTRY girl!), with a whole support and social network of people who think and hold beliefs similar to mine, jumpiing into the Roman lifestyle of partying with a bunch of under-21 American college students suddenly released to drink as much alcohol as they want... Well, THAT has been a challenge! Rome is pretty and has a lot of history, but for a single, young American gal, it really isn't all that much fun if I'm not going to go get totally smashed each night. I've seen the main tourist sites, which are great, but I really don't feel comfortable wandering around too much outside the tourist-frequented areas, because even in the daylight some places feel kind of sketchy. Particularly the area around where I'm living! Then at night, of course, I CERTAINLY don't want to be out by myself, not to mention there isn't really anything to DO unless you're going to party!
But I really don't want this to be a complaining session! Today I meet with my advisor to find out what classes I can sign up for. Hopefully by tonight I'll have a better idea of what classes I'm actually in, and how they relate to completing my major requirements. I'm strongly considering heading home if I can't get into classes I need to graduate. However, I don't want to just bail out and quit if this is REALLY where God wants me... but at the same time, if not having classes here is his way of protecting me from some bad influences and dangerous situations, I want to take full advantage of that!
I do really like my roommates - they're all sweet girls. Under different circumstances, I think they'd be almost ideal! It's just that having a completely different background from them makes it difficult to build really deep, bonding relationships. There's that whole "unequally yoked" thing, and let me tell you, I can TOTALLY see where that's coming from! But... does it REALLY apply to roommates??? :-)
Anyhow, you can be praying for me - pray that I'll have wisdom and clear, divine leading in WHAT steps to take from here, and pray that the Lord will go before me and prepare the path - whether here in Rome for the rest of the semester, or back at home for the semester, for a college to transfer into next semester, for strong, Christian relationships here in Rome if I stay... It's all a big mess, but that reminds me of the tapestry I saw hanging in Corrie ten Boom's house last week, and from the backside, the threads were all jumbled and knotted and looked like nothing but a big pain to try to sort out, but when you turned it over, it was a beautifully embroidered crown. Corrie would tell people, "You see your life from this side," showing them the back of the embroidery, "But the Lord is stitching it and seeing it from this side," turning it over to the "pretty" side. That's all I can really hope for right now - that God is doing something beautiful through this time, even though I don't know what!!!
Hugs to all of you!
Love,
Dani
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
28 August - Rome, Rome, Rome!
Hello All!
I officially made it to Rome on Sunday afternoon! I spent most of Saturday in Haarlem (OK, it was the morning and a bit of the afternoon, I slept for a couple hours in the afternoon too!), and was SO encouraged and inspired by attending Corrie ten Boom's house! Seriously, the tour was amazing, and the story being retold while I was sitting there was fantastic! Anybody who is heading to Holland, you've GOT to make a trip to the Corrie ten Boom house... and the best part is that it is free!
The market in Haarlem is also fun on a Saturday, so check that out if you go. Haarlem has little canals and bridges and lots of people wandering around, and the downtown part is all pedestrianzed... Oh, and H&M has a store LITERALLY right next to Corrie's place :-).
Sunday and Monday I met my roommates: There is Ashley, from MA, Ellen from CA, Claira from OH, and Sophie from Germany. Ashley and Sophie both have boyfriends here, so we don't see much of Ashley, but we see a lot of Sophie's bf. Claira is my direct roommate, and the other three girls are in a room together. The bedrooms are good size, but there isn't much storage space, so I'm even MORE convinced that less clothes would be better! ;-) We alos have a tiny little kitchen/dining combo, and two bathrooms. There is this entry/hall thing that is quite small, but all the rooms open up into it, so it gets a lot of traffic. The down side is that there isn't really any place to have friends over without having them be in the kitchen or in a bedroom, and everything is pretty open to each other, so there's very little privacy.
The girls are all sweet, but none of them are Christians or come from a Christian background, which is a little challenging to deal with at times. Ellen and I have similar tastes in living here, so I hang out with her quite a bit so far. Claira has been living on her own in Italy off and on for a couple years, so she's having a bit of a hard time adjusting to student housing rules. Ashley doesn't really let the housing rules stop her from much... and Sophie and Max (Sophie's bf) are really sweet and kind!
We've been to the forum and Colosseum (yesterday), and walked to the Vatican today. I heard a girl saying she'd been on a mission trip this summer to Africa and I made a beeline to introduce myself! Come to find out, she's from Point Loma Nazarene school in Cali. We invited her and her roommate, and two guys they'd just met and were talking to to join us on our little adventure to VC. The guys are from Indiana (a little more conservative) and Emily, the other gal, is from one of the Carolinas. One of the cool things is meeting people from all over the world! I just talked to a guy who's from Bolivia, and another guy who's from Korea. Of course, it also presents unique challenges because it means we all come from different backgrounds with different living expectations... But hopefully we'll all be willing to compromise and be sensitive to others, while still being true to who we are.
I'm waiting for my permit to stay appointment, and I should probably go check on where my number is at in the line up... Rome is fun, but a bit impersonal. I haven't honestly been terribly impressed with the staff and school here, but I need to make sure my attitude stays right too, because I've been in a bit of a bad mood about it the past couple days.
Tomorrow I'm going to make a BIG effort to get to church at the English speaking Baptist church... I'm REALLY excited to get to fellowship with other believers! Pray that I'll make some connections!
THANK YOU to all of you who commented me, or sent me emails, or facebooked me, or whatever. My friend Adam actually recorded a video and PRAYED for me on it, then posted it on Youtube and sent me the link... You have NO IDEA (well, OK, so some of you might, but anyhow...) how much it means to me to know that you are thinking and praying for me... This adjustment has been a lot harder than I anticipated. Spain was such an easy adjustment, I don't think I really missed home at all (I mean, I missed the people a bit, but I so enjoyed my experience and 11 weeks didn't seem very long...), but I think leaving so soon after Spain, and going to a completely different culture without anyone there I know, and so soon after being in Africa... it's just been a lot harder than I expected! But hopefully, in the words of Relient K, "I'm on the up and up..."
Love and hugs to all of you! You are precious to me!
- Dani
Ellen takes a picture
Doing the tourist thing
Ellen, Claira, and I at St. Peter's
Sophie (hidden), Max, Ellen, and Ashley in our kitchen - the main "hang out" spot in the apartment
I officially made it to Rome on Sunday afternoon! I spent most of Saturday in Haarlem (OK, it was the morning and a bit of the afternoon, I slept for a couple hours in the afternoon too!), and was SO encouraged and inspired by attending Corrie ten Boom's house! Seriously, the tour was amazing, and the story being retold while I was sitting there was fantastic! Anybody who is heading to Holland, you've GOT to make a trip to the Corrie ten Boom house... and the best part is that it is free!
The market in Haarlem is also fun on a Saturday, so check that out if you go. Haarlem has little canals and bridges and lots of people wandering around, and the downtown part is all pedestrianzed... Oh, and H&M has a store LITERALLY right next to Corrie's place :-).
Sunday and Monday I met my roommates: There is Ashley, from MA, Ellen from CA, Claira from OH, and Sophie from Germany. Ashley and Sophie both have boyfriends here, so we don't see much of Ashley, but we see a lot of Sophie's bf. Claira is my direct roommate, and the other three girls are in a room together. The bedrooms are good size, but there isn't much storage space, so I'm even MORE convinced that less clothes would be better! ;-) We alos have a tiny little kitchen/dining combo, and two bathrooms. There is this entry/hall thing that is quite small, but all the rooms open up into it, so it gets a lot of traffic. The down side is that there isn't really any place to have friends over without having them be in the kitchen or in a bedroom, and everything is pretty open to each other, so there's very little privacy.
The girls are all sweet, but none of them are Christians or come from a Christian background, which is a little challenging to deal with at times. Ellen and I have similar tastes in living here, so I hang out with her quite a bit so far. Claira has been living on her own in Italy off and on for a couple years, so she's having a bit of a hard time adjusting to student housing rules. Ashley doesn't really let the housing rules stop her from much... and Sophie and Max (Sophie's bf) are really sweet and kind!
We've been to the forum and Colosseum (yesterday), and walked to the Vatican today. I heard a girl saying she'd been on a mission trip this summer to Africa and I made a beeline to introduce myself! Come to find out, she's from Point Loma Nazarene school in Cali. We invited her and her roommate, and two guys they'd just met and were talking to to join us on our little adventure to VC. The guys are from Indiana (a little more conservative) and Emily, the other gal, is from one of the Carolinas. One of the cool things is meeting people from all over the world! I just talked to a guy who's from Bolivia, and another guy who's from Korea. Of course, it also presents unique challenges because it means we all come from different backgrounds with different living expectations... But hopefully we'll all be willing to compromise and be sensitive to others, while still being true to who we are.
I'm waiting for my permit to stay appointment, and I should probably go check on where my number is at in the line up... Rome is fun, but a bit impersonal. I haven't honestly been terribly impressed with the staff and school here, but I need to make sure my attitude stays right too, because I've been in a bit of a bad mood about it the past couple days.
Tomorrow I'm going to make a BIG effort to get to church at the English speaking Baptist church... I'm REALLY excited to get to fellowship with other believers! Pray that I'll make some connections!
THANK YOU to all of you who commented me, or sent me emails, or facebooked me, or whatever. My friend Adam actually recorded a video and PRAYED for me on it, then posted it on Youtube and sent me the link... You have NO IDEA (well, OK, so some of you might, but anyhow...) how much it means to me to know that you are thinking and praying for me... This adjustment has been a lot harder than I anticipated. Spain was such an easy adjustment, I don't think I really missed home at all (I mean, I missed the people a bit, but I so enjoyed my experience and 11 weeks didn't seem very long...), but I think leaving so soon after Spain, and going to a completely different culture without anyone there I know, and so soon after being in Africa... it's just been a lot harder than I expected! But hopefully, in the words of Relient K, "I'm on the up and up..."
Love and hugs to all of you! You are precious to me!
- Dani
Ellen takes a picture
Doing the tourist thing
Ellen, Claira, and I at St. Peter's
Sophie (hidden), Max, Ellen, and Ashley in our kitchen - the main "hang out" spot in the apartment
Sunday, August 26, 2007
26 August - Rome: I have arrived
Hi friends!
After a couple whirlwind runs through the airports (Amsterdam and Munich), I got to Rome, along with my luggage, found a taxi, and made my way to John Cabot University. I hereby have decided that any and all future traveling will be limited to ONE bag, under 20kg, and that is that! Apparently the weight limit on European airlines is less than that of America (kinda goes with the size thing - if I thought Northwest was bad.... :-) ). Fortunately, the ticket agent was kind and didn't charge me extra, but I think I'll ship a box or two home come December anyhow. And, my sister's "OK" luggage is not so "OK"... grrr for cheap luggage! Heath, do you have any permanent attachments to it? I'm sorry, I promise I haven't TRIED to ruin it! The 30 minute walk over cobblestones on my way to the YWAM base in Amsterdam didn't do it any good, though... :-)
I got checked in, was taken over to my apartment, and met two of my roommates. Ashely is a sophomore from Vermont, and Ellen is from California - don't know what grade yet. There's another girl here, but we have yet to see her. In a couple short minutes I'm heading back to school with the other JCU students in this apartment complex where we'll get free pizza and hang out with the other students - meeting and getting to know them, I suppose.
I have wireless in my apartment (Praise the Lord!), and even managed to figure out how to enter a new wireless network and configure my computer to it... Oh yeah, feeling pretty self sufficient!
BUT, on that note, I'm also beginning to miss friendly, familiar faces... Amsterdam wasn't so bad because I knew I was only going to be there for a couple days, but the sheer volume of 16 weeks without my family is sounding a bit daunting at the moment. Maybe it's just because I'm tired, though!
Anyhow, I'll hopefully upload photos soon, and have many new adventures to relay this coming week.
Love and Hugs!
Dani
My room
View from my room
After a couple whirlwind runs through the airports (Amsterdam and Munich), I got to Rome, along with my luggage, found a taxi, and made my way to John Cabot University. I hereby have decided that any and all future traveling will be limited to ONE bag, under 20kg, and that is that! Apparently the weight limit on European airlines is less than that of America (kinda goes with the size thing - if I thought Northwest was bad.... :-) ). Fortunately, the ticket agent was kind and didn't charge me extra, but I think I'll ship a box or two home come December anyhow. And, my sister's "OK" luggage is not so "OK"... grrr for cheap luggage! Heath, do you have any permanent attachments to it? I'm sorry, I promise I haven't TRIED to ruin it! The 30 minute walk over cobblestones on my way to the YWAM base in Amsterdam didn't do it any good, though... :-)
I got checked in, was taken over to my apartment, and met two of my roommates. Ashely is a sophomore from Vermont, and Ellen is from California - don't know what grade yet. There's another girl here, but we have yet to see her. In a couple short minutes I'm heading back to school with the other JCU students in this apartment complex where we'll get free pizza and hang out with the other students - meeting and getting to know them, I suppose.
I have wireless in my apartment (Praise the Lord!), and even managed to figure out how to enter a new wireless network and configure my computer to it... Oh yeah, feeling pretty self sufficient!
BUT, on that note, I'm also beginning to miss friendly, familiar faces... Amsterdam wasn't so bad because I knew I was only going to be there for a couple days, but the sheer volume of 16 weeks without my family is sounding a bit daunting at the moment. Maybe it's just because I'm tired, though!
Anyhow, I'll hopefully upload photos soon, and have many new adventures to relay this coming week.
Love and Hugs!
Dani
My room
View from my room
Friday, August 24, 2007
24 August - Amsterdam!
Hello All!
Obviously someone needs to help me get my act together because not only have I NOT updated photos from the last little bit in Africa, I also haven't added anything about being home... all of which I planned to do. [Note later: I finally did!] I'm sure you'd like me to do both of those NOW with this blog, but alas, I'm jet lagged and feet-blistered, and tired and needing to go find my bed. In fact, all this particular post really is for is to let you know that I arrived safely in Amsterdam - no delays, no weird engine noises, not even any bathroom breaks, just me, and my middle seat in a group of affectionate Italians, and my book and the movies. I think I slept a little... if you can call it sleep when you're trying to hold your head up while relaxing your body and your backside is turning numb... but I got here, and that is the important thing!
I'm staying at De Poort, the YWAM base, as the guest of some friends-friends. I just had dinner with their family - three beautiful little children and a warm and friendly couple - and they even let me help with the dishes! I was excited.
I took a nap after I drug my suitcases onto a train to get here to the city, then drug them, like, a MILE over cobblestone streets to the base (next time, ONE suitcase... I've GOT to pack lighter!). Then I grabbed my map and just went wandering. I walked for a couple hours, zig-zagging through the old part of the city on a route that I'd sort of planned out (there were some places I wanted to see), and sort of not (when I got lost... :-) ). The canals are beautiful, the bike riders are healthy, the kids are so cute strapped into seats in front of or behind their parents on the bikes, and a couple of the signs made me go, "Yup, this is Amsterdam all right!" But I've felt very safe and almost EVERYONE speaks English, so I'm not too worried about getting lost!
I'm fading fast though, despite the naps, so I think I'll sign off and head upstairs. Thank you for your prayers! When I can get wi-fi working on my computer, I'll post pictures... maybe... :-)
Love and Hugs!
Dani
Pictures from home, goodbyes, and Amsterdam:
Grandpa Floyd, me, and Grandma Jean
Grandpa Troy and me
Packed up and ready to go at the airport
Beautiful church in Amsterdam
Bikes and Canals
Corrie ten Boom's living room
Windmill in Haarlem
Obviously someone needs to help me get my act together because not only have I NOT updated photos from the last little bit in Africa, I also haven't added anything about being home... all of which I planned to do. [Note later: I finally did!] I'm sure you'd like me to do both of those NOW with this blog, but alas, I'm jet lagged and feet-blistered, and tired and needing to go find my bed. In fact, all this particular post really is for is to let you know that I arrived safely in Amsterdam - no delays, no weird engine noises, not even any bathroom breaks, just me, and my middle seat in a group of affectionate Italians, and my book and the movies. I think I slept a little... if you can call it sleep when you're trying to hold your head up while relaxing your body and your backside is turning numb... but I got here, and that is the important thing!
I'm staying at De Poort, the YWAM base, as the guest of some friends-friends. I just had dinner with their family - three beautiful little children and a warm and friendly couple - and they even let me help with the dishes! I was excited.
I took a nap after I drug my suitcases onto a train to get here to the city, then drug them, like, a MILE over cobblestone streets to the base (next time, ONE suitcase... I've GOT to pack lighter!). Then I grabbed my map and just went wandering. I walked for a couple hours, zig-zagging through the old part of the city on a route that I'd sort of planned out (there were some places I wanted to see), and sort of not (when I got lost... :-) ). The canals are beautiful, the bike riders are healthy, the kids are so cute strapped into seats in front of or behind their parents on the bikes, and a couple of the signs made me go, "Yup, this is Amsterdam all right!" But I've felt very safe and almost EVERYONE speaks English, so I'm not too worried about getting lost!
I'm fading fast though, despite the naps, so I think I'll sign off and head upstairs. Thank you for your prayers! When I can get wi-fi working on my computer, I'll post pictures... maybe... :-)
Love and Hugs!
Dani
Pictures from home, goodbyes, and Amsterdam:
Grandpa Floyd, me, and Grandma Jean
Grandpa Troy and me
Packed up and ready to go at the airport
Beautiful church in Amsterdam
Bikes and Canals
Corrie ten Boom's living room
Windmill in Haarlem
Sunday, August 05, 2007
August 5, 2007 - Home!!!
Hi All!
Greetings from the sometimes sunny and sometimes rainy Pacific Northwest! It's been great to be surrounded by towering trees and the smell of growing chickens again. :-)
We've had family visiting and plenty of company since I flew in last Friday, along with lots of family time with all of us - my older sister's time home from school overlapped with my 4 weeks home by 10 days.
I got my student visa for school in Rome this fall, so I fly out August 23rd. Although I'm looking forward to it, it's hard to get REALLY excited because I still feel like my brain and heart is half in Africa... I'm sure the excitement will come as the time gets closer, though.
I've gone back and put new pictures up in the older posts... Enjoy!
Love and Hugs,
Dani
Solo traveler
Class reunion the day after I got home
She missed me :-)
The trio reunites!
Hiking at Multnomah falls
Whole gang of hikers: (L-R) me, cousin Reid, cousin Roberta, Mom, Max, Heath, Liv, and Megan
Max staying hydrated
Feeling a bit jet lagged
Liv takes in the scenery
Buh-bye Heather!
Greetings from the sometimes sunny and sometimes rainy Pacific Northwest! It's been great to be surrounded by towering trees and the smell of growing chickens again. :-)
We've had family visiting and plenty of company since I flew in last Friday, along with lots of family time with all of us - my older sister's time home from school overlapped with my 4 weeks home by 10 days.
I got my student visa for school in Rome this fall, so I fly out August 23rd. Although I'm looking forward to it, it's hard to get REALLY excited because I still feel like my brain and heart is half in Africa... I'm sure the excitement will come as the time gets closer, though.
I've gone back and put new pictures up in the older posts... Enjoy!
Love and Hugs,
Dani
Solo traveler
Class reunion the day after I got home
She missed me :-)
The trio reunites!
Hiking at Multnomah falls
Whole gang of hikers: (L-R) me, cousin Reid, cousin Roberta, Mom, Max, Heath, Liv, and Megan
Max staying hydrated
Feeling a bit jet lagged
Liv takes in the scenery
Buh-bye Heather!
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