Krispy Kreme

I have eaten more Krispy Kreme doughnuts in the past 8 months than I have in a really long time. It was exciting to be able to get a good doughnut in England once moving from Turkey so it was a big deal. The past few months at work have been a little crazy. Because of this, at least twice someone has brought them in for us. These are always exciting days. Most of the Krispy Kremes here are little stands. I guess they have to be made somewhere, so last weekend we went with some friends to a real Krispy Kreme. It was a huge store compared to the ones in America. We got to watch them be made. The hot sign unfortunately wasn't on but it was still a fun trip.

Basketball Season

I used to look forward to basketball season. Sometimes I wish I never quit in high school. I still love playing. I joined a county club here in England. Our team is called the Reigate Falcons. We don't actually practice in Reigate but usually close to where I live. The ladies on my team range from age 21-43. I really enjoy playing with them. They are all very nice. Many times we are referred to as nice Reigate girls, not the posh London girls. We have training twice a week and quite a bit of games. My team is trying to decide if they will continue over the summer. I really hope so. I would miss playing with them. It has been great to be involved in the community and meet people here. We are a developing team as this is their second year as a team. We aren't very good, but we won a game a few weeks ago. It was the highlight of my week. My kit (uniform) is a bit big. For some reason they only have size Large. Here is a picture of me. I really want to get a picture of our team. Last season many pictures were taken, so I hope to get them soon.

A new concept for cloudy.

I realized in the past few days that the Oklahoma meaning for overcast and cloudy is completely different than it is here. This morning I looked at the forecast for the next 5 days and it said 'White Cloud.' This really means a cloudy overcast day. The sad thing is that I was really excited. Compared to 'Grey Cloud' which it has been for the past few weeks, white cloud feels sunny. There is really no comparison for a grey cloud in America. I guess it would be what the sky looks like during a thunderstorm except covering the entire sky and not raining. That is what it is like here most of the winter. When the weather says white cloud, which again is Oklahoma's cloudy day, it means you will see a small speck of the blue sky behind the clouds at some point in the day which is incredibly exciting when you haven't seen this for a couple of weeks. I am thankful for the white cloud days this time of year.

It does rain a lot here, but not all of the time. It is really just dark all of the time. I am so ready for Spring and Summer to see a few bits of sun and blue sky.

In your own dialect

So many people always say we need to learn the language of the people we live among. This is helpful in so many ways. It is easier to make friends and share with them if you speak their language. I knew this was important and have always heard this. It never really made complete sense until today. This morning at church we heard the message brought by an American. This is the first time I have heard an American at church in over a year. In Turkey at the international church we had a South African preacher, here the speaker is British or sometimes Irish, which is another completely different dialect. It was so sweet this morning to hear the Word in my American southern heart language. I realize that the others were English but it made a huge difference for it to be in American English. The style, pronunciation, and meaning of words is just so different. Normally I really have to concentrate to understand what the speaker is saying. It was so nice to sit and relax and soak it up and not try to translate the words. This sounds silly but just hearing Isaiah pronounced they way Americans say it was food for the soul.

One Year!

I have now lived overseas for an entire year. 9.5 more months left. It still doesn't always seem real. It seems like it was just the other day when I was filling out the applications for the job. I am so grateful for this opportunity to spend some time in another culture, 2 at that. It has been an experience of a lifetime. I have made so many memories and met so many people that will always remain dear to me. It has been very hard to be away from family and friends and normal life I knew in America. It has been a challenge to learn to travel, cook, shop, and simply live in foreign cities. So many times I have longed to move back to America and I am sure there will be more. There have been many tears of loneliness. But through all of this, Father has been with me every step of the way just as He promised. He is always faithful even when I fail. I still have so much to learn, and I am excited to see what Father has for me for the next bit of my life that I spend here. I cannot believe how much Father has shaped me and drawn me closer to Him. Thank you Father for this past year. It has truly been a blessing.

2009, where did you go?

Wow what a year!

I figured like everyone else, I should recap my year.



January- I said some very hard goodbyes and got on a plane headed for Turkey. This brought challenges learning to live in an Asian culture. I started taking language classes and learning more and more each day.



February- I contemplated a move to England or taking another job in Turkey. It was a very emotional month full of more culture shock and decisions on where to spend my time. I finally decided to move to England.



March- My parents and sister and soon to be brother-in-law came to visit. We all took a trip to Greece, Ephesus, Troy, and Cappadocia. I joined a great group of people to worship with who have become family to me.



April- I found out I was going to move to the London area in June. I spent a lot of time at the English club and being out in the city with anyone and everyone. I loved every minute of it.



May- I applied for my visa to the UK and got it in one week. I enjoyed the spring weather with parks and tulips.





June- I saw as many things in my city as possible knowing I was leaving. Once again I said a hard goodbye to so many lovely friends and a country and people I grew to love. I moved to England and began learning yet another new culture and language. It really is a different language.



July- I experience culture shock to a new level. It was not America and definitely not Turkey. A new roommate moved in with me. We moved the office from one part of town to another. I kept busy with a few visitors and also a trip back to Turkey.



August- I enjoyed a visit from my parents and Patrick and went with them to Scotland, Holland, and Germany. I turned 23.



September- I joined a basketball team and began training with them 2 nights a week. I went to a rugby match. Everything in the office was set up working like a real office with most of the employees finally here.





October- I began to truly enjoy living in England. I went on many weekend outings with some other single ladies. My old college roommate came to visit.




November- I at turkey in Turkey on Thanksgiving. I sprained my ankle pretty bad in a basketball game.



December- I worked a lot with so much do to. I went to America for Christmas with my family and friends.





Well that pretty much sums up 2009. I was probably more fun for me to look back than it was entertaining for you. Oh well.