Facts of Life

So here are some facts of life from living in Central Asia. Funny things that are part of everyday life, things I have learned about myself and things that make up the heartbeat of this huge city that I have been blessed enough to call home for four months.

• Skype is the best invention ever: Seriously. I really don't know where we would be without technology. Skype not only allows me to call America, for free, and see and talk to friends and family but it also allows me to make phone calls to friends in the city. This is a huge blessing seeing as how phone calls on a cell phone to America and even in the city can be very expensive. It is so good to be able to plan and look forward to skype dates with loved ones from back home- when you just don't think you can go one more day without seeing their faces. I am forever grateful for technology. Since being overseas I think I have learned to develop a healthier relationship with technology- at home it had the tendency to rule my life. Here it is just a means to get things accomplished, as well as enjoy some entertainment. I hope to bring this healthier relationship with technology home with me.
• Let's face it: Buses are a part of my life: And I think I am ok with it. I have actually grown to appreciate public transportation. Which is something I thought I would never say when I first got here. It is nice getting on to a bus, or the metro, or the tramvye and know that you have a 45 minute ride ahead of you- thus allowing you to enjoy music, Scripture memorization or just thinking. I don't know how I will adjust back to having to use my mind and actually drive myself somewhere when I get home. Although, there are some days where I simply miss my car. And bonus (!): because of public transportation my balancing skills have drastically improved. Olympics here I come.
• Anna and I think we would be the perfect candidates for the Amazing Race: After successfully navigating the metro systems in THREE countries we think that we could easily win the Amazing Race. I told her that she could be the brains and I would be the comedic relief- and by comedic relief I mean letting people at home watch me and laugh as I seriously screw something up! Needless to say, once we get back to America and the separation anxiety reaches it peak we may just be signing up to race. Prepare your hearts.
• It is amazing to me the amount of wardrobe options I have discovered: So, when you are packing to move away for four months to a new country and you only have 2 suitcases for everything you have to bring there are only so many clothes that will fit. Therefore, I have literally mixed and matched ALL of my clothes in every possible way imaginable to make as many possible outfits that I can. Thankfully I was smart enough to bring a lot of solid color tops to do this with. I will however be looking forward to burning some of these articles of clothing once I get home.
• Hot tea and I are now friends: Anna and I have developed a love for hot tea- in fact I drink it many mornings while having my quiet time. While we were in Paris we even found some Vanilla and Orange/Cinnamon flavored tea that has spiced up our life.
• The Bible in 90 days: Before leaving I set a goal to read through the Bible in 90 days. I started this program a couple weeks after arriving here and it has been the biggest blessing. I only have about 20 days left and am looking forward to digging into the New Testament in those days. While it is a chunk of reading each morning it has been a great learning process for me and wonderful to read all the books of the Bible so close together. To read along with me click here for your own reading schedule: http://www.havenministries.com/schedule.pdf
• I love to walk: Walking is great. Almost all other countries have walking as a part of their daily life. I think I am going to have to find places to walk to when I get back home!
• Too. Many. Options: Last week during our visa run we had the chance to visit a French grocery store. Inside this store there were all kinds of American products- and by all kinds I mean just way more than we have access to here. It was so overwhelming- and I could have spent hours just browsing. There were so many things I had forgotten about, like the fact that yes, there are more than 2 types of cereal that exist. It is so funny to me the way that I have adjusted. When living in another country you adjust- you don't make the country try to adjust to you. We have embraced the fact there there isn't ice for our drinks, they don't sell Dr. Pepper here, you have to make your own brown sugar and bread for sandwiches is dry and dense on a good day. And I love it. I love going to a little mart on the corner of the street and buying fresh fruits and veggies. Don't know how I am going to handle super Walmart.
• Oh, they don't know what I am saying: Confession- Anna and I have gotten way to comfortable saying whatever we want when we are out in public. We have fully adjusted to the fact that 90% of the people here have no idea what we are saying when we speak. Giving us freedom to just speak our minds whenever we choose. This can be a bad thing! Sometimes people can understand you! I am going to have to train myself to not speak aloud while in public in America unless I want the person next to me to know what I plan on cooking for dinner or that I have to go to the restroom.
• Oops, that was a close call: There have been way too many close calls to one or both of us getting hit by a moving vehicle. Our reflexes have improved drastically in the last 12 weeks, but we still have our fair share of close calls. Mostly on the days that I forget that pedestrians don't have the right of way. But, never fear! My hearing has also improved drastically and I can hear a car approaching from behind when they are still like a mile behind me.
• I love the people here: Watching the nationals interact with one another has been a highlight of my time spent overseas. The people here are so loving, willing to help and willing to serve. Not a day passes that I don't see a young man give up his seat for an elderly woman on the bus. On multiple occasions Anna and I have had to stop and ask for help- and we are always graciously given help. We have even had people stop what they were doing to walk us to the place we are looking for. It is awesome to see their love for one another and people. One day may this country love people because they recognize Christ's love for them.
• Call to Prayer: It goes off 5 times a day- everyday without fail. No matter where you are in the city you can hear it. Morning, noon and night. It is a constant reminder of the need to this city.
• Trash and bathrooms: One of the funny things about living here is that you never have to throw away your trash. You just leave it. At Starbucks after you finish your drink you leave the empty cup on the table. At McDonald's someone cleans up after you. It is awesome! Also, for as many people living here they don't have any restrooms. In a city of 20 million people you can enter any Starbucks that could have anywhere from 20-100 people in it and there will be one bathroom. Without fail. We have learned to plan accordingly :)

This list could go on and on. There are so many things we have had to adjust to- good and bad. There are so many things I am going to miss- things that have made me fall in love with this city and it's people. I am going to miss it here.