Since then

I've moved. And I do miss you (friends, roomies, coworkers, students, Czechs in general). I'd love to hear from you, so please keep in touch and write when you can. It'd be wonderful to come back and visit... and you're always welcome here, too! ("Here" being wherever I am in the states, or in the world. ha)

I'm not sure what God has in mind for me beyond grad school, but I'm taking it day by day and trying to relish the journey... not just the destination. After all, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17)

via the Charles Bridge. August 2011 

While I no longer live in a crazy, bustling 1.2 million-person international city.... the moments of silence here have given me time to reflect and remember the almighty God who first called me to Czech Republic back in 2010. It's as if He is whispering:

"Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge" 

Anyway, we will see what happens next. Regardless, though, as you and I embark on whatever or wherever we are in life, know that you are loved very much; and it's not just by me or from me -- it's so much better....


Sincere love and Richmondosity.

El

ps.
I still believe in snail mail and handwritten postcards/letters, so feel free to swap from abroad (or even from within the states) if you'd like :)

Oh, Prague

"Prague still has the spirit of anxiety, strangeness, and extremity that Kafka and Hasek left amid its ghettos, bars, breweries, and golden spires"... yet upon my recent return I couldn't help but be reminded of what I first saw in Prague and how blessed I am to be able to experience life here.

As Richard Wagner said: "The ancient splendor and beauty of Prague, a city beyond compare, left an impression on my imagination that will never fade"

I thought of this as I wandered through the streets of the city yesterday. The rich history, the fairy-tale-like beauty, diverse cultures and languages, intriguing cuisines, cultural quirks and customs and unique experiences that one can only taste after a certain undefined stint of searching - these things (and the people I've met here) I will never forget.

And as I sat in the sunshine outside a cafe tucked away on Řetězová street, I heard the church bells ringing and the great murmors of the city. I saw people walking around with their dreams, their stories and their often-unspoken history. The couple next to me was speaking French, the Czech women on the street were laughing and walking their small dogs, and old Baroque buildings across the street were whispering of the past and things I would never understand. In a way, I felt as if I I'd transcended time and landed in a dream in which I never wanted to wake. I could do nothing but close my eyes and breathe in deeply and remember to not forget.

It was then that I remembered the multi-colored experiences I've had here in Prague and how they've shaped me to be who I am today. "We are living in the Left Bank of the ’90s. For some of us, Prague is Second Chance City; for others a new frontier where anything goes, everything goes, and, often enough, nothing works. Yesterday is long gone, today is nebulous, and who knows about tomorrow, but, somewhere within each of us, we all know that we are living in a historic place at a historic time" (Alan Levy)

All this to say, it will be bittersweet when I leave Prague. I am thankful for my time here. I am excited about being in the states, but I know I will never forget this city. 

This year in Prague

As the school year has officially ended for the summer and I am looking forward to some good sunshine, friend and family time back in the states.... I wanted to stop a moment and reflect on this past year here in Prague.

It has been an incredible learning experience for me and I've enjoyed being on this journey of teaching Czech kids, working with some incredible hostels/design hotels, living with great girls, and knowing some pretty wonderful people here.

I've definitely had some rough times, especially with visa and with my recent trips to the hospital for GastroEndoscopy, but I think I will be OK legally and health-wise, and I'm thankful for having such affordable healthcare here.

Here are some highlights of the year for me:

Sufjan Stevens in Leipzig, Germany

• Digging deeper into the Czech school system and learning more about how state schools here work
  
  
• Having the opportunity to teach 285 students from 19 different classes in grades 1-6 (and attempting to navigate all the newness and learning that can be!)
  
  
• Revisiting Litoměřice and Teplice and hanging with old friends there
  
  
• Roadtripping to Germany to see Sufjan Stevens with Kamila
  
  
• Celebrating my birthday in  Litoměřice with Petr and Betka and discovering the art of other people's self portraits ;)
  
  
• Going to Copenhagen and absolutely falling in love with everyone and everything there
  
  
• Learning more about Korean culture and getting to know the 4 Korean families I teach during the evenings
  
  
• Throwing parties at our flat here (personal favourite was the International Dinner Party we had! But also loved Film Nights, too)
  
  
• Rafting in Český Krumlov for 7 hours and discovering a "Drive In" Mojito Bar haha
  
  
• Learning that there's so much I don't know still, but it's OK - I'm humbly learning and growing and going with the flow of life and all its surprises and adventures
  
  And I'm grateful, so grateful for friends and family and for everyone I've met while living here. I know this isn't goodbye cause I'll be back in Prague in August to work again, but for now: 
  
  Čau, Czech Republic. Hello America!
  

Strike, you're out

This morning I woke up to an eerie repetitive whistling noise that I couldn't quite place my finger on. I kept thinking it must be the windows rattling or some janked up car, but the sound got louder and louder until I realized - it's the strike.

Yes, today marks the official full-out public transportation strike here in Prague. No metro.... very limited trams... and yelling/whistles everywhere.

I guess we really do live in the center of Prague because the march came right up in front our building near the tram stop and across the street to Karlovo Nameste metro. Megaphones, police cars, flags and whistles you could hear from miles away - almost like wimpering ghosts crying off in the distance.

As I watched the faces of the people marching, holding flags, and blowing whistles, I couldn't help but get choked up. I had no idea what they were saying in Czech, but I could feel the passion behind their words and see the determination and for some - desperation in their eyes. I thought of my grandfather as I saw all the old men marching (Czech has proposed the new retirement age for them is 70)... I saw their families firmly supporting them and marching with them. And it made me think: Is there anything I feel so strongly about that I'd march and potentially lose my job, get arrested or maybe even get killed?

I know there is, but it's definitely moving to see sites like this. It reminds you of what you're living for and what you care about, and ultimately - where your heart is.....

<3

one of the few tram drivers actually operating at this time

the view from our window (before it reached our building)

I know

 “The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings”  (Mal. 4:2).

I've seen (and spoken with) a lot of hurt and lonely people in Czech lately and it breaks my heart. There is hope and He's not so far away....

I pray that you see that soon... and your cup is filled....

<3

Guys in Prague

Are really something. I don't know what has happened the past 3 days, but there's something in the air...


Saturday night on my way home I felt someone walking closely behind me,  like in my personal space in the dark, so I quickly turned around and this guy hurries past me and nods.  I thought "Phew. Good. He's gone" Then he stops, turns around, and starts speaking to me in Czech - trying to walk along with me and talk. Now my Czech isn't the most fluent, but I knew enough to make out what he was insinuating and let me just say "You've got to be kidding me?!?" 


Sunday afternoon I was in a really great mood - walking down the sidewalk, enjoying the sunshine and listening to some good tunes. It was one of those moments when you can't help but smiling at people you see because life is good and God is good and yeah, you're happy. I should have known, though, that there's a reason why people don't smile here often ...


I smiled at this guy walking by - not thinking anything of it and just enjoying the outdoors. But this guy chased me down the street: "You have a beautiful smile. Really -  it changes the weather" And at first I thought, "Maybe it really does cheer people up. Cool!" Then the guy proceeds to hand me his business card and say "If you ever want to grab coffee and make your girlfriend or boyfriend jealous, just let me know" (he is a professor of Economics at Charles University.... and little did he know I remembered my roommate Hannah telling me the EXACT same story months ago! - smile comments and all. Smooth, boy. Smooth)


I think the best, though, was Monday night - I was crossing the street with my roommates on our way home when this guy stops, looks me in the eyes and says one of the most charming things I think I've ever heard:


"You want sex?"


:P 

7 things that have surprised me lately

1. People you meet.....
Today a man approached me on the street and said "Excuse me, can I ask you a question?"
Me: Sure
Him: Hi, are you from here? I'm doing some work here in Prague. I'm from Italy originally but I work here and in Amsterdam. I have to say... you are very beautiful and I was wondering if you'd be interested in doing some modeling work.
Me: (Super skeptical) Ummm. I don't know. What did you have in mind?
Him: Just a short video.
Me: What kind of video?
Him: Oh, just women's underwear. You're very beautiful. I think you'd be great
Me: !!!!!!! (no, thank you!...)

(Some people are crazy! ha)

2. People you see....
Sufjan Stevens, for instance. I don't even have words to explain how amazing his performance in Leipzig was this weekend. And it was on my birthday, too! Couldn't have been more perfect!

That man is absolutely talented and I was overwhelmed with every single detail he'd thought through - from the lighting, graphics, dancers, costumes, balloons, everything. I have seen him perform in Athens, Georgia for his "Come on Feel the Illinoise!" tour... Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Festival of Faith and Music... and Brooklyn, New York for the premier of his BQE film... and honestly, I think in my life there will never be a better performance than his Age of Adz tour. Plus, to know it was all for the glory of God was so encouraging and inspiring. Hallelujah, brother!

3. People you love
Friends and family who you can trust to be true. Who still make mistakes, but try their best to love you and show you they care, despite your own shortcomings. (And thank you for all the birthday wishes on facebook and in person, btw + all of you who made it out to my birthday party last night. It was good! Also, a special thanks to Kamila for driving me all the way to Leipzig and back this weekend for Sufjan Stevens. You are a true friend, girl! 4am in the morning getting home.. absolutely hardcore but so special and worth it to me!)

4. Witch-burning
Yes, that's right. Witch burning....

Here in Czech Republic there's a holiday on April 30th where they traditionally burn witches (although now they just have a big bonfire and dress in black and wear witch hats). It's honestly a little disturbing/scary to me, but it's their way of celebrating the end of winter. You can read more here, if you want.

5. A bowl of tea
Today I found the best new coffee shop tucked away on Korunni Street. It's actually a tobacco shop and Kavarna (coffee house), but I love it because most people just walk by and don't notice it. Or they walk in the store, see the tobacco, postcards and knick-knacks, think there's nothing more and then just dismiss it and walk away. But another careful look and you'll see a discreet door leading to the back, where there's old wooden tables, big glass windows and cozy places to read, write and enjoy a good cup of coffee/tea.

I ventured further through the kavarna to find a courtyard, enclosed among tall, old brick buildings. I loved being able to sit out there and write in the sunshine. Needless to say, though,  when I ordered the Masala Chai... she brought me a GIGANTIC BOWL full of it. I was shocked... I asked "This is tea, right?" and she said "Yes" like it was absolutely normal to serve tea like this. I had to laugh, but it was the best tea I've had yet in Czech. So yeah, go check out Dobra Trafika. It's my new favourite.

6. International Pillow Fight Day
I have nothing to say, except "AWESOME"

7. Liva's birthday
We had a HUGE FOOD fight! Complete with whipped cream, yoghurt, ketchup, flour, poppy seeds, eggs, and more. It was insane!