The ironic thing about time is the harder you look for it, the harder it is to find.
I've long believed that there is no such thing as a "lack of time." The time we've been given is all we'll ever need. What we lack is not time, but the discipline to use it as we want to. So, hypothetically speaking, when a blogger of significantly insignificant cyber-significance continually neglects his little weblog he should not tell his familial following that he just "doesn't have time to blog." He may be better telling them straight, "I just don't make time to blog."
Deeeeep.
So I'm not apologizing for this undoubtedly boggling lack of blogging. At this point in my life, I have many priorities. The same amount of time, of course, but many important things to wedge into it. I'm still a student, a friend, a boyfriend, a brother and a son, still a Resident Assistant for 44 charming freshman guys, still a chapel leader and an employee, and still trying my best to be a devoted and faithful follower of Christ through it all. To top it all off, I'm also still occupied by the full-time application process for graduate school.
It's a sorry thing that public reflections and thoughtful recapitulations on the progression of my life must be sacrificed along the way, but I'm not sorry for a second for all the opportunities I've had this year, for all I've learned, for all I've achieved, for all I've aspired to, and for how I've been humbled and grown.
Regarding all aforementioned commitments, things continue to race along as one might expect them to. The task of summarizing even the highlights of such times is rather daunting at this moment, so if you really want to know the details, let's talk in person.
Suffice it to say, that I'm learning a lot these days. I'm being challenged and I'm being humbled, and it's no walk in the park. But I'm grateful for every opportunity I've had and am having. And I'm especially thankful lately for the blessing it is to dream about my future, and to chase those dreams. To have options and to be able to apply to 11 schools in 11 different cities with excitement overwhelming my apprehension.
But I'm most thankful for the hope I have in the God who goes with me into all of these things. The God who goes with me now. The God who is faithful, even in my unfaithfulness. The God who is strong, strong enough for all my weakness.
So in the midst of all of this, I often echo the words of David after that rather regrettable Bathsheba incident, and I'd like to share them with you now. [For the record, I cannot relate to the whole kill-a-man-take-his-wife thing, but to the notion that a hundred compelling desires can blot out the only one that really matters, I do resonate.]
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.
Amen, King David, sir ... Amen.
Over and out.
jmb
Restore
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Whirlywind
Dear world,
Here we are again. Another whirlwind series of months since my last post, spanning 3 countries, half a dozen cities, seven days of cruising, five weeks of work, seven weeks of camp, one crucial exam, one family reunion with 37 boisterous Bodens, four visits with one special lady, 10 days of RA training, 44 freshmen guys, and a partridge in a pear tree. It's been quite a ride. No joke.
But through all of that -- the silly, the thrilling, the sad, and even the little bit of bad -- I find myself here again on another hazy Pennsylvania morning with likely much to do, but with little incentive to do any of it. So I greet you, my long-neglected but ever-loyal cyber chums, and I thank you for your interest in this little life of mine.
Each number in that litany of statistics above could be expanded upon greatly. But to boil it all down, it was a fantastic summer, but it sure was busy. I was the Program Director at camp again, my second year in the position and sixth year working up there. I also had to be back on campus for RA training on August 17th. So my summer, essentially, was the month of June, in which time I turned 21, worked full time for 4 weeks, studied every night for the GRE, wrote the GRE, and got camp program prepared.
Then there was camp, which went swimmingly. It was not without its challenges, as much to me personally as to the camp as a whole, but in unexpected ways, as I suppose it always is, we saw God work in and through his people. Interestingly, at camp we (the counselors) talk often of sharing Christ with the campers, of enlightening them through word and deed to the love of God in their lives. And yet time and time again, it is the counselors who come away from this ministry having been touched themselves so personally and powerfully by the hand of God, and who come, through serving and living by faith, to know God more deeply in their own lives.
So that is that. I don't have much time these days for looking behind, though, for it is the future that presently holds my attention. I'm in the midst of grad school applications, which seem quite profoundly to start as grad school aspirations. I'm interested in the field of school psychology, and to get there I'm looking at doctoral programs. Big stuff. But somewhere between looking at programs and studying in programs is a grueling application process seemingly contrived to beat bright-eyed applicants to their knees in submission before silent committees of high-brow academics who scrutinize your paper-sized life and survey the grades that have now become the ultimate manifestation of your God-given potential.
Thankfully, the God who gave me potential is the God in control. Of everything. What blessed assurance indeed.
So if you are a praying person, I'd appreciate prayers to that end. And if you are not a praying person, why not give it a whirl? At worst, you'd just be talking to yourself, but at best you'd be entering into time with the God above all things, the Creator bringing love and restoration and hope to a world that would be lost without it. It's worth a shot.
Have a holly jolly Tuesday, everybody!
jmb
Here we are again. Another whirlwind series of months since my last post, spanning 3 countries, half a dozen cities, seven days of cruising, five weeks of work, seven weeks of camp, one crucial exam, one family reunion with 37 boisterous Bodens, four visits with one special lady, 10 days of RA training, 44 freshmen guys, and a partridge in a pear tree. It's been quite a ride. No joke.
But through all of that -- the silly, the thrilling, the sad, and even the little bit of bad -- I find myself here again on another hazy Pennsylvania morning with likely much to do, but with little incentive to do any of it. So I greet you, my long-neglected but ever-loyal cyber chums, and I thank you for your interest in this little life of mine.
Each number in that litany of statistics above could be expanded upon greatly. But to boil it all down, it was a fantastic summer, but it sure was busy. I was the Program Director at camp again, my second year in the position and sixth year working up there. I also had to be back on campus for RA training on August 17th. So my summer, essentially, was the month of June, in which time I turned 21, worked full time for 4 weeks, studied every night for the GRE, wrote the GRE, and got camp program prepared.
Then there was camp, which went swimmingly. It was not without its challenges, as much to me personally as to the camp as a whole, but in unexpected ways, as I suppose it always is, we saw God work in and through his people. Interestingly, at camp we (the counselors) talk often of sharing Christ with the campers, of enlightening them through word and deed to the love of God in their lives. And yet time and time again, it is the counselors who come away from this ministry having been touched themselves so personally and powerfully by the hand of God, and who come, through serving and living by faith, to know God more deeply in their own lives.
So that is that. I don't have much time these days for looking behind, though, for it is the future that presently holds my attention. I'm in the midst of grad school applications, which seem quite profoundly to start as grad school aspirations. I'm interested in the field of school psychology, and to get there I'm looking at doctoral programs. Big stuff. But somewhere between looking at programs and studying in programs is a grueling application process seemingly contrived to beat bright-eyed applicants to their knees in submission before silent committees of high-brow academics who scrutinize your paper-sized life and survey the grades that have now become the ultimate manifestation of your God-given potential.
Thankfully, the God who gave me potential is the God in control. Of everything. What blessed assurance indeed.
So if you are a praying person, I'd appreciate prayers to that end. And if you are not a praying person, why not give it a whirl? At worst, you'd just be talking to yourself, but at best you'd be entering into time with the God above all things, the Creator bringing love and restoration and hope to a world that would be lost without it. It's worth a shot.
Have a holly jolly Tuesday, everybody!
jmb
Friday, April 29, 2011
Viskas.
Viskas. This word means, "That's it" in Lithuanian. As I sit here studying for my final final tomorrow morning, I really feel like I am approaching Viskas. And it's kind of sad.
More reflections are sure to come, but last week I finished a final paper for my Cross Cultural class and I'll share that for now instead. If you are interested in some of my general impressions of the experience, prašom skaityti (please read [I need to use as much Lithuanian as possible now. I likely won't ever get to use it again.]).
Thinal Foughts on Life in Lithuania
Speaking of Lithuanian, I had a simple, but remarkably long, conversation with a lady in Senamiestas (Old Town) today. It was glorious. I hope you are as proud of me as I am of me.
But back to the sad bit. There are things that have pulled me so strongly back home throughout this whole semester (friends, family, and a certain lovely lady) that continue to draw me even more intensely as the reunions approach. Yet simultaneously there is so much about this place that holds me here. As the sun shines brilliantly and the gray turns to green all over the country ["pavasaris" = spring], I feel sometimes as if I am seeing this place for the first time. But I'm not. It's the same place it has always been. It just took a little springtime sunlight (and four months of challenge) to illuminate my love for it.
But the blogoglobe is no place for such sappy sentimentality. Except to express, for all who care to know it, the impression this country, this part of the world, these people, this language, these friends, have made on me. Indelible impressions indeed.
Gerai draugiai. Viskas dabar. (Okay, my friends. That's all for now)
jmb
More reflections are sure to come, but last week I finished a final paper for my Cross Cultural class and I'll share that for now instead. If you are interested in some of my general impressions of the experience, prašom skaityti (please read [I need to use as much Lithuanian as possible now. I likely won't ever get to use it again.]).
Thinal Foughts on Life in Lithuania
Speaking of Lithuanian, I had a simple, but remarkably long, conversation with a lady in Senamiestas (Old Town) today. It was glorious. I hope you are as proud of me as I am of me.
But back to the sad bit. There are things that have pulled me so strongly back home throughout this whole semester (friends, family, and a certain lovely lady) that continue to draw me even more intensely as the reunions approach. Yet simultaneously there is so much about this place that holds me here. As the sun shines brilliantly and the gray turns to green all over the country ["pavasaris" = spring], I feel sometimes as if I am seeing this place for the first time. But I'm not. It's the same place it has always been. It just took a little springtime sunlight (and four months of challenge) to illuminate my love for it.
But the blogoglobe is no place for such sappy sentimentality. Except to express, for all who care to know it, the impression this country, this part of the world, these people, this language, these friends, have made on me. Indelible impressions indeed.
Gerai draugiai. Viskas dabar. (Okay, my friends. That's all for now)
jmb
Thursday, April 14, 2011
The Adventures of Joshelberry Funn
Dear internet (and people who use it),
The birds are chirping, the ice is finished melting, the sun is (sorta) shining, and life at LCC plows on full speed to the end. Though I feel great pressure to, I will not offer any obligatory apologies for my prolonged absence from this page. Nope. I will have no regrets, I tell you. For, you see, when a man is not on the internet piddling away his time and tap-tap-tapping his memories onto his 14.1" screen, I suppose he is instead spending his time living life to the full, or at least trying his best to.
In my case, I can assure you that this is the truth. Life has been a whirlwind of smaller whirlwinds, through it all -- the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even the little bit of boring. Yes, I said boring. But the great thing about being bored on the other side of the world is that you must only remind yourself that you are, in fact, on the other side of the world and such moments cease to be so dull.
Deep thought #1: Aren't we always on the other side of the world?
But I have not had much time for being bored. So let me highlight a few things that have happened lately. In my last post, I mentioned a quiz show game night thing. We lost. But life goes on. And it went on, in fact, and took me to the Parade of Stars, 2011. Parade of Stars is LCC's big cultural event, where all the countries here put on a performance or play of some sort and compete through various stages to win the prize. Being the multinational Canuck that I am afforded me the honor (sans "u") of joining Team America, whose clearly quite perceptive members promptly assigned me the role of Superman.
Long story short, I danced around in borrowed blue tights and red shorts, pretending to explore the Land of Liberty and all the while extolling its great virtues. We did quite well, if I do say so myself, but we ultimately ceded our prize to Team Latvia who fairly won the title but crushed our American imperialistic spirits. Ah well. Life goes on.
And it took me forward through many busy days and memorable times with new friends, challenging discussions and eye-opening experiences.
Deep thought #2: Every experience can be eye-opening. You just have to keep them open the whole time.
Then this past week, my roommate and good friend Anton and I took a trip to Copenhagen. Ohh boy. Where to begin? Well, being the fiscal fellows that we are, we decided to make this trip as cheap as humanly possible, never mind the fact that our destination was one of the most expensive cities in the world. So for us that meant pinching pennies on everything we could. On things like transportation and shelter, for example. You know.. dispensable things like that. We planned on CouchSurfing while in the city, which for those of you unaware is a network of people around the world who post available couches for travelers to come sleep on for free, and in turn get to travel themselves. We found a place to stay just outside the city, and it was great! Our hosts were very pleasant, mild-mannered, thoughtful folk who baked us cookies and gave us full access to their little flat for no fee other than our polite presence and storytelling. (There are good people in the world.)
The real adventure, though, was traveling to and from. Also, we reasoned why spend money on a bus when you could, you know, hitchhike or something!? We flew into Gothenburg, Sweden, and made the trek 200 kilometers down to Copenhagen within a day. On the way down, it more or less proceeded without a hitch. You meet fascinating people when you just stick your thumb out on the side of the road, as it turns out. We got lifts from an Arab couple, a couple African dudes, some Swedish engineers, and a chap from Kosovo. Fascinating people, all of them.
We spent a few delightful days in the city, and then began our trek back up to Gothenburg. At first, things were fine. We were a little short on money for the train out of the city, but the ticket-checker was so excited that I was Canadian, that he offered us a few helpful pointers and proceeded to chat hockey stats with me until we made it. I love Danish people.
So then we got a lift from an airport technician in a rad sports car into Sweden. From there we camped out and enjoyed a roadside picnic until a nice Swedish couple picked us up and took us 50 kilometers north, but not before stopping in on a few errands on the way while we dutifully smiled in the backseat. We slowly realized Swedish people are much less friendly to hitchhikers on Saturdays, as our next two rides took us only a matter of kilometers further.
Suddenly it was evening and we were too far from Gothenburg to make our night bus to the airport. Nevertheless, our only option was to wait by the roadside until something happened. Well, something happened, but not until after the sun had set. You see, it is very dangerous to be on the side of the road at night time, so when we realized we were stuck there with no flashlight and no hope for a ride, we decided to walk the 7 miles into the nearest town to find a train. What ensued were some of the most harrowing minutes of my life. As we skirted down a Swedish highway and lightning-quick late night traffic skirted by us. Then to our simultaneous great horror and relief, a cop car screeched to a halt in front of us with lights and sirens wailing. I am not sure which is more illegal -- hitchhiking or being on the side of the road at night, but it quickly became apparent that neither really mattered. In a staggering display of the true Police spirit, they both served and protected us. A firm lecture on the dangers of our endeavours was all we had to pay for a free lift to the train station... and a conversation that quickly turned to "Oh! No way! I have family in Canada! blah.. blah..blah"
So that is that. And oh yeah. Copenhagen is a beautiful place.
Well, my friends. If all these travel stories are making your head spin then I regret to tell you that I am about to leave for a weekend trip to Latvia and Estonia with the Study Abroad program here. Well, actually I do not regret anything. No regrets, remember? Right on.
Well, thanks for your time. Remember: God loves you, and so do I!
jmb
The birds are chirping, the ice is finished melting, the sun is (sorta) shining, and life at LCC plows on full speed to the end. Though I feel great pressure to, I will not offer any obligatory apologies for my prolonged absence from this page. Nope. I will have no regrets, I tell you. For, you see, when a man is not on the internet piddling away his time and tap-tap-tapping his memories onto his 14.1" screen, I suppose he is instead spending his time living life to the full, or at least trying his best to.
In my case, I can assure you that this is the truth. Life has been a whirlwind of smaller whirlwinds, through it all -- the good, the bad, the wonderful, and even the little bit of boring. Yes, I said boring. But the great thing about being bored on the other side of the world is that you must only remind yourself that you are, in fact, on the other side of the world and such moments cease to be so dull.
Deep thought #1: Aren't we always on the other side of the world?
But I have not had much time for being bored. So let me highlight a few things that have happened lately. In my last post, I mentioned a quiz show game night thing. We lost. But life goes on. And it went on, in fact, and took me to the Parade of Stars, 2011. Parade of Stars is LCC's big cultural event, where all the countries here put on a performance or play of some sort and compete through various stages to win the prize. Being the multinational Canuck that I am afforded me the honor (sans "u") of joining Team America, whose clearly quite perceptive members promptly assigned me the role of Superman.
Long story short, I danced around in borrowed blue tights and red shorts, pretending to explore the Land of Liberty and all the while extolling its great virtues. We did quite well, if I do say so myself, but we ultimately ceded our prize to Team Latvia who fairly won the title but crushed our American imperialistic spirits. Ah well. Life goes on.
And it took me forward through many busy days and memorable times with new friends, challenging discussions and eye-opening experiences.
Deep thought #2: Every experience can be eye-opening. You just have to keep them open the whole time.
Then this past week, my roommate and good friend Anton and I took a trip to Copenhagen. Ohh boy. Where to begin? Well, being the fiscal fellows that we are, we decided to make this trip as cheap as humanly possible, never mind the fact that our destination was one of the most expensive cities in the world. So for us that meant pinching pennies on everything we could. On things like transportation and shelter, for example. You know.. dispensable things like that. We planned on CouchSurfing while in the city, which for those of you unaware is a network of people around the world who post available couches for travelers to come sleep on for free, and in turn get to travel themselves. We found a place to stay just outside the city, and it was great! Our hosts were very pleasant, mild-mannered, thoughtful folk who baked us cookies and gave us full access to their little flat for no fee other than our polite presence and storytelling. (There are good people in the world.)
The real adventure, though, was traveling to and from. Also, we reasoned why spend money on a bus when you could, you know, hitchhike or something!? We flew into Gothenburg, Sweden, and made the trek 200 kilometers down to Copenhagen within a day. On the way down, it more or less proceeded without a hitch. You meet fascinating people when you just stick your thumb out on the side of the road, as it turns out. We got lifts from an Arab couple, a couple African dudes, some Swedish engineers, and a chap from Kosovo. Fascinating people, all of them.
We spent a few delightful days in the city, and then began our trek back up to Gothenburg. At first, things were fine. We were a little short on money for the train out of the city, but the ticket-checker was so excited that I was Canadian, that he offered us a few helpful pointers and proceeded to chat hockey stats with me until we made it. I love Danish people.
So then we got a lift from an airport technician in a rad sports car into Sweden. From there we camped out and enjoyed a roadside picnic until a nice Swedish couple picked us up and took us 50 kilometers north, but not before stopping in on a few errands on the way while we dutifully smiled in the backseat. We slowly realized Swedish people are much less friendly to hitchhikers on Saturdays, as our next two rides took us only a matter of kilometers further.
Suddenly it was evening and we were too far from Gothenburg to make our night bus to the airport. Nevertheless, our only option was to wait by the roadside until something happened. Well, something happened, but not until after the sun had set. You see, it is very dangerous to be on the side of the road at night time, so when we realized we were stuck there with no flashlight and no hope for a ride, we decided to walk the 7 miles into the nearest town to find a train. What ensued were some of the most harrowing minutes of my life. As we skirted down a Swedish highway and lightning-quick late night traffic skirted by us. Then to our simultaneous great horror and relief, a cop car screeched to a halt in front of us with lights and sirens wailing. I am not sure which is more illegal -- hitchhiking or being on the side of the road at night, but it quickly became apparent that neither really mattered. In a staggering display of the true Police spirit, they both served and protected us. A firm lecture on the dangers of our endeavours was all we had to pay for a free lift to the train station... and a conversation that quickly turned to "Oh! No way! I have family in Canada! blah.. blah..blah"
So that is that. And oh yeah. Copenhagen is a beautiful place.
Well, my friends. If all these travel stories are making your head spin then I regret to tell you that I am about to leave for a weekend trip to Latvia and Estonia with the Study Abroad program here. Well, actually I do not regret anything. No regrets, remember? Right on.
Well, thanks for your time. Remember: God loves you, and so do I!
jmb
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Russia-Returned
Dear World of the Blog,
Today is a Thursday. Perhaps one of the most eventful Thursdays of my time in Lithuania, which makes this 60 minute lull in activity seem remarkably empty. Which qualifies as the perfect time for a brief post on this good old thought repository.
On Sunday we all returned safely from a crazy 8-day blitz through Russia's two biggest cities. It was, as I expected, a wild ride of a trip, full of beauty and thrills and items of staggering historical significance. My admittedly narrow perception of Russia as the cold, ugly, and rather chauvinistic bully of the northern European neighborhood was challenged and changed on every level. What I witnessed is certainly a proud and patriotic nation, but the culture, history, and legacy of the land is so deserving of that pride. Our Kremlin tour guide asserted (however provocatively) that in her experience, Russians and Americans are one and the same. Beneath all the politics and tensions and ideological disputes, the Russian spirit and the American spirit are fundamentally the same. And, as a fortunate third-party observer, I see what she means. Russians have a remarkably rich history, full of great names and heroes and victories and tragedies, of revolutionaries that liberated them and of regimes that have crumbled, of leaders that oppressed them and ideas that divided them. And through it all they've emerged with a vindictive sense of national pride. A manifest destiny of sorts, not so different from America's, as it turns out.
For those of you curious about the intricacies of daily life here, allow me to walk you through my exceptionally eventful day today, so you can get an idea of the kind of things that go on around here. This morning I joined a group of 10 other Study Abroad students for a brainstorming session with LCC International University's Study Abroad office. We were trying to come up with fresh ideas for LCC's promotional campaign for next year. For new merchandise, we came up with some great ideas, if I do say so myself -- who wouldn't want an LCC pet rock, or an LCC removable tattoo, or an LCC toothbrush?
Then it was off to practicum at the local Specialioji Mokykla (Special School). Everyday is something a little different, but today I spent a good hour playing Snakes and Ladders with my 14-year old pal Augustas. Back to school, where I made some gourmet grilled cheese and then headed to Theories of Personality class. We discussed more humanistic theology, a la Carl Rogers. [This marks the third time this academic year I've studied a unit on Carl Rogers. (I'm generally quite fond of the man, thankfully.)]
Then I had a meeting with my practicum advisor, where we went over logistics and all that. Once that was done, I headed back to an invitation-only reception in the first-floor lobby for a foreign dignitary who was visiting LCC. No big deal. Well, actually it wasn't really a big deal. There is a new Canadian Ambassador in Lithuania, you see, and since LCC is the only international university in the area, he decided to visit. An email was sent out to the community Canucks, and we all convened (8 of us) for coffee and pastries. I was the only one under 30, but it turns out I can schmooze with the dignitaries and small talk politics like the best of them. Naturally, the Canadian Ambassador was a real nice guy, and this brief meeting was equally pleasant.
At this meeting, I also received some unexpected life affirmation from LCC's interim president (who also happens to be Canadian). To put it simply, she declared that based on her perception of my character I would be a perfect candidate to someday travel Eastern Europe recruiting for LCC. So now we'll see about that, I suppose.
I conclude this post now, so I can run off to a game-show-trivia-night-kind-of-thing. It's a formal team event, so I'm off to a battle of the brains. A pizza dinner is on the line, so this is no joke.
Gotta jet. Love and peace.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
jmb
Today is a Thursday. Perhaps one of the most eventful Thursdays of my time in Lithuania, which makes this 60 minute lull in activity seem remarkably empty. Which qualifies as the perfect time for a brief post on this good old thought repository.
On Sunday we all returned safely from a crazy 8-day blitz through Russia's two biggest cities. It was, as I expected, a wild ride of a trip, full of beauty and thrills and items of staggering historical significance. My admittedly narrow perception of Russia as the cold, ugly, and rather chauvinistic bully of the northern European neighborhood was challenged and changed on every level. What I witnessed is certainly a proud and patriotic nation, but the culture, history, and legacy of the land is so deserving of that pride. Our Kremlin tour guide asserted (however provocatively) that in her experience, Russians and Americans are one and the same. Beneath all the politics and tensions and ideological disputes, the Russian spirit and the American spirit are fundamentally the same. And, as a fortunate third-party observer, I see what she means. Russians have a remarkably rich history, full of great names and heroes and victories and tragedies, of revolutionaries that liberated them and of regimes that have crumbled, of leaders that oppressed them and ideas that divided them. And through it all they've emerged with a vindictive sense of national pride. A manifest destiny of sorts, not so different from America's, as it turns out.
For those of you curious about the intricacies of daily life here, allow me to walk you through my exceptionally eventful day today, so you can get an idea of the kind of things that go on around here. This morning I joined a group of 10 other Study Abroad students for a brainstorming session with LCC International University's Study Abroad office. We were trying to come up with fresh ideas for LCC's promotional campaign for next year. For new merchandise, we came up with some great ideas, if I do say so myself -- who wouldn't want an LCC pet rock, or an LCC removable tattoo, or an LCC toothbrush?
Then it was off to practicum at the local Specialioji Mokykla (Special School). Everyday is something a little different, but today I spent a good hour playing Snakes and Ladders with my 14-year old pal Augustas. Back to school, where I made some gourmet grilled cheese and then headed to Theories of Personality class. We discussed more humanistic theology, a la Carl Rogers. [This marks the third time this academic year I've studied a unit on Carl Rogers. (I'm generally quite fond of the man, thankfully.)]
Then I had a meeting with my practicum advisor, where we went over logistics and all that. Once that was done, I headed back to an invitation-only reception in the first-floor lobby for a foreign dignitary who was visiting LCC. No big deal. Well, actually it wasn't really a big deal. There is a new Canadian Ambassador in Lithuania, you see, and since LCC is the only international university in the area, he decided to visit. An email was sent out to the community Canucks, and we all convened (8 of us) for coffee and pastries. I was the only one under 30, but it turns out I can schmooze with the dignitaries and small talk politics like the best of them. Naturally, the Canadian Ambassador was a real nice guy, and this brief meeting was equally pleasant.
At this meeting, I also received some unexpected life affirmation from LCC's interim president (who also happens to be Canadian). To put it simply, she declared that based on her perception of my character I would be a perfect candidate to someday travel Eastern Europe recruiting for LCC. So now we'll see about that, I suppose.
I conclude this post now, so I can run off to a game-show-trivia-night-kind-of-thing. It's a formal team event, so I'm off to a battle of the brains. A pizza dinner is on the line, so this is no joke.
Gotta jet. Love and peace.
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
jmb
Friday, March 4, 2011
Russia-bound
Hey people,
Quick update:
The adventures continue, and now grow in scale. I'm leaving in the morning for an 8-day trip into Russia. A 20 hour bus/train ride will take us into Moscow for 3 days, which will be followed by 4 days in Saint Petersburg. Needless to say, I am quite excited. This trip is a part of the Study Abroad program here, so it is completely arranged and organized for us by them (though still funded by us). I imagine I have a crazy week ahead, so I should get some sleep.
Thanks for reading this and thanks, as always, for your thoughts and prayers. You are in mine. Unless I don't know you. In which case let me know if you care for my thoughts or my prayers and I will happily oblige.
See you on the other side!
jmb
Quick update:
The adventures continue, and now grow in scale. I'm leaving in the morning for an 8-day trip into Russia. A 20 hour bus/train ride will take us into Moscow for 3 days, which will be followed by 4 days in Saint Petersburg. Needless to say, I am quite excited. This trip is a part of the Study Abroad program here, so it is completely arranged and organized for us by them (though still funded by us). I imagine I have a crazy week ahead, so I should get some sleep.
Thanks for reading this and thanks, as always, for your thoughts and prayers. You are in mine. Unless I don't know you. In which case let me know if you care for my thoughts or my prayers and I will happily oblige.
See you on the other side!
jmb
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Confessions
Laba diena, world!
It is sunny today. A delightful thing in any part of the world, no doubt, but it is especially so here, where the sun is seldom seen during remarkably gray winter months. But the sun shines brilliantly, and it has for almost a week straight. Clearly God's favour shines on Klaipeda lately.
I mentioned last time an upcoming trip to Stockholm. Well, said trip came quickly and went wonderfully. I was absolutely enthralled by the 14-island city, by it's staggeringly beautiful and balanced blend of ancient history and the ultra modern. Not that I've been that many places, but it really was unlike any place I'd ever been. Some notable highlights: wandering through the medieval streets and palace grounds of the old town, cheering for Sweden at Europe's largest hockey arena in a friendly Sweden-Russia game, shopping in the city's sprawling (and remarkably trendy) shopping district (which is almost a whole island to itself), sipping hot drinks at coffeeshops that put every Starbucks to shame, and on and on. Even the hours of bus and plane travel on either end of the trip was a great way to see more of this part of the world in which I now reside. As an added bonus, I know all the ins-and-outs of the Riga International Airport now too.That may come in handy again someday.
Since then, I've resumed my LCC life. But even that is anything but boring and predictable, though. I'm still working at the Klaipeda Special School. I normally go in 3 or 4 mornings a week. It's hard to describe exactly what I do, but this past week, in celebration of Valentine's Day, I assisted the school psychologist and social worker in putting on a little Valentine's card-making bash. Lots of tracing, cutting, colouring, and fun, and I may or may not have received a few gifts myself along the way. The rest of my days at the school are still spent in helping and playing in whatever ways I can. Though this is a rather simple evaluation of the whole thing so far, I'll say that it's been a great experience. I've learned a ton, but I don't even know if I could articulate it all right now.
So that's some of what I'm up to. But you know what, dear blogosphere? I have a confession. I have a hard time with writing here lately. Before this point, I've never lacked for material or inspiration for my ramblings. But for some reason, at a time where I am being constantly stimulated by new things and theoretically should be bursting at the seams with inspiration, I am kind of at a loss. I can certainly talk about the things that occupy my time, but I've always preferred to reflect more thoughtfully. But to do so requires some kind of concrete perspective or thought. Perhaps simply because my stimulation is so constant, and each experience is so new, and each day brings with new feelings and knowledge, I don't really feel like I'm at the right vantage point for philosophical musings on my present circumstances. Which is kind of a funny place for me to be in, because, as you may know, I really like all that philosophical musing stuff.
Ah well. Before I know it I'll be on my way home and trying once again to make sense of all of this. I still think very often about my time in Philly, and still feel impacted by all that happened there. So soon enough this time in Europe will be another experience relegated to the slow-cooker of influence that is memory. Hmm.. think about that.
So I'll end these pseudo-philosophical thoughts with something inspirational. Though it is rather specific...
If you are a 14-year old student, studying in the land of Canada, studying French in Grade 9, wondering whether to drop it and finally gain your freedom from the tyranny of the tres difficile, please do not. Because some day down the road, when you are 20-years old and your 8 years of mandatory french education is tightly locked in a vault in the recesses of your mind, you may find yourself in a place where everyone you meet speaks two languages better than you can speak one. And most people can speak three or four without batting an eye. And you will be asked by others and indeed ask yourself why you cannot speak more than one language. Aren't Canadians supposed to know French? you will be asked. And suddenly all of your adolescent reasoning and ethnocentric scoffing at the idea of learning French will suddenly seem remarkably short-sighted. And as you realize your severe linguistic handicap you will curse the day that band or gym or art or sleep took precedence over the priceless skill of bilingualism, when it was yours to cherish and to hold.
I speak from experience.
Well, that is all for tonight. I have one final thought that does not connect with anything I have said thus far. It is a fragment of 1 Corinthians 15:10. The Apostle Paul, on the state of his life: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
By the grace of God, we are who we are. Receive that grace, and display its effects.
Love,
jmb
It is sunny today. A delightful thing in any part of the world, no doubt, but it is especially so here, where the sun is seldom seen during remarkably gray winter months. But the sun shines brilliantly, and it has for almost a week straight. Clearly God's favour shines on Klaipeda lately.
I mentioned last time an upcoming trip to Stockholm. Well, said trip came quickly and went wonderfully. I was absolutely enthralled by the 14-island city, by it's staggeringly beautiful and balanced blend of ancient history and the ultra modern. Not that I've been that many places, but it really was unlike any place I'd ever been. Some notable highlights: wandering through the medieval streets and palace grounds of the old town, cheering for Sweden at Europe's largest hockey arena in a friendly Sweden-Russia game, shopping in the city's sprawling (and remarkably trendy) shopping district (which is almost a whole island to itself), sipping hot drinks at coffeeshops that put every Starbucks to shame, and on and on. Even the hours of bus and plane travel on either end of the trip was a great way to see more of this part of the world in which I now reside. As an added bonus, I know all the ins-and-outs of the Riga International Airport now too.That may come in handy again someday.
Since then, I've resumed my LCC life. But even that is anything but boring and predictable, though. I'm still working at the Klaipeda Special School. I normally go in 3 or 4 mornings a week. It's hard to describe exactly what I do, but this past week, in celebration of Valentine's Day, I assisted the school psychologist and social worker in putting on a little Valentine's card-making bash. Lots of tracing, cutting, colouring, and fun, and I may or may not have received a few gifts myself along the way. The rest of my days at the school are still spent in helping and playing in whatever ways I can. Though this is a rather simple evaluation of the whole thing so far, I'll say that it's been a great experience. I've learned a ton, but I don't even know if I could articulate it all right now.
So that's some of what I'm up to. But you know what, dear blogosphere? I have a confession. I have a hard time with writing here lately. Before this point, I've never lacked for material or inspiration for my ramblings. But for some reason, at a time where I am being constantly stimulated by new things and theoretically should be bursting at the seams with inspiration, I am kind of at a loss. I can certainly talk about the things that occupy my time, but I've always preferred to reflect more thoughtfully. But to do so requires some kind of concrete perspective or thought. Perhaps simply because my stimulation is so constant, and each experience is so new, and each day brings with new feelings and knowledge, I don't really feel like I'm at the right vantage point for philosophical musings on my present circumstances. Which is kind of a funny place for me to be in, because, as you may know, I really like all that philosophical musing stuff.
Ah well. Before I know it I'll be on my way home and trying once again to make sense of all of this. I still think very often about my time in Philly, and still feel impacted by all that happened there. So soon enough this time in Europe will be another experience relegated to the slow-cooker of influence that is memory. Hmm.. think about that.
So I'll end these pseudo-philosophical thoughts with something inspirational. Though it is rather specific...
If you are a 14-year old student, studying in the land of Canada, studying French in Grade 9, wondering whether to drop it and finally gain your freedom from the tyranny of the tres difficile, please do not. Because some day down the road, when you are 20-years old and your 8 years of mandatory french education is tightly locked in a vault in the recesses of your mind, you may find yourself in a place where everyone you meet speaks two languages better than you can speak one. And most people can speak three or four without batting an eye. And you will be asked by others and indeed ask yourself why you cannot speak more than one language. Aren't Canadians supposed to know French? you will be asked. And suddenly all of your adolescent reasoning and ethnocentric scoffing at the idea of learning French will suddenly seem remarkably short-sighted. And as you realize your severe linguistic handicap you will curse the day that band or gym or art or sleep took precedence over the priceless skill of bilingualism, when it was yours to cherish and to hold.
I speak from experience.
Well, that is all for tonight. I have one final thought that does not connect with anything I have said thus far. It is a fragment of 1 Corinthians 15:10. The Apostle Paul, on the state of his life: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect.
By the grace of God, we are who we are. Receive that grace, and display its effects.
Love,
jmb
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Labas!
Hey world,
It's late on a Thursday evening. Life, to put it simply, has been great lately. But I don't have much time to talk about that. Because in the morning, I embark on another mini-adventure. An adventure within an adventure.
I'm spending the weekend in Stockholm. (I just like saying that. Not every day I'll be able to answer the So, what did you do this weekend question with, "Oh, you know, not much. Went to Stockholm. Hung out.")
So that should be awesome. Got a whole bunch of buses and planes to catch on the way, but by the end of it I'll have conquered a little more of Northern Europe. That's right. I'm here to conquer.
In other news, I'm a couple weeks into my practicum at Klaipedos 2-oji Specialoji Mokykla (Klaipeda 2nd Special School), where I shadow a school psychologist, and spend my mornings playing/teaching developmentally disabled children. It's a lot of colouring, playing, tutoring, and the odd English lesson too. Great times. Much more on that to come.
Hope wherever you are right now, you feel loved and blessed. Because you are.
Aight. Peace for now!
jmb
It's late on a Thursday evening. Life, to put it simply, has been great lately. But I don't have much time to talk about that. Because in the morning, I embark on another mini-adventure. An adventure within an adventure.
I'm spending the weekend in Stockholm. (I just like saying that. Not every day I'll be able to answer the So, what did you do this weekend question with, "Oh, you know, not much. Went to Stockholm. Hung out.")
So that should be awesome. Got a whole bunch of buses and planes to catch on the way, but by the end of it I'll have conquered a little more of Northern Europe. That's right. I'm here to conquer.
In other news, I'm a couple weeks into my practicum at Klaipedos 2-oji Specialoji Mokykla (Klaipeda 2nd Special School), where I shadow a school psychologist, and spend my mornings playing/teaching developmentally disabled children. It's a lot of colouring, playing, tutoring, and the odd English lesson too. Great times. Much more on that to come.
Hope wherever you are right now, you feel loved and blessed. Because you are.
Aight. Peace for now!
jmb
Friday, January 28, 2011
Life Lately
Hey people,
It's been a couple weeks since I've written here. A couple of rather enjoyable, often crazy weeks, in fact. There is much I could say on a personal level, but I'll save my blathering on about self-discovery and trials for more personal forms of communication. So, good blogosphere, I treat you now to a summation of life lately.
Classes have been rather light lately, and my schedule has remained relatively open. I never have class in the mornings, and only ever for two or three hours in the afternoon. At first this free time drove my busybody crazy, but said busybody quickly found means to busyness. I've spent a delightful amount of time in prayer and reading my Bible, which at such a disorienting time and place is a divinely orienting thing. I've spent time at the gym, fulfilled my Canadian reputation playing pick-up floor hockey, and digested a nearly daily dose of political satire and news (thank you, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert). But that's just the free time.
I was approached rather last minute to join a team for the annual KVN comedy show here at LCC. For those unfamiliar with KVN (join the club) it is essentially the Russian version of SNL. Except it's a competition between two teams. Competitive comedy, with a week to prepare. Talk about pressure. But, at the same time, talk about fun! Countless hours over the past week and a half were spent rehearsing, planning, editing, mixing, revising, and laughing. Though I must admit that, due to my late arrival on the scene and my profoundly un-Russian sense of humour, many of the jokes I delivered made little sense to me. But I'm thankful they were found funny upon delivery..
Our big show was last night, though, and it was certainly a success. We laughed, we cheered, we panicked, and at the end of it all, we won! My team was comprised of a Canadian, Albanian, Latvian, a few Ukrainians, Russians and others. So even if we hadn't won, the experience of working and laughing with all these wonderful people is one I will not forget.
I've started a practicum/internship/volunteer placement at a local school for children with developmental disabilities. I went in for the first time yesterday with my professor, who helped me navigate the halls and language differences. But I go in on Monday by myself. I'm really excited to begin, but I definitely got the impression that this school is a challenging place to work, and my time there (especially with so much broken communication) will be a challenge in many ways. But I'm ready. What's the worst that can happen? Perhaps I'll be confronted daily with challenging or uncomfortable situations. Likely, in fact. But, hey, I came here to experience and learn. Hard to do that sitting in your room twiddling your thumbs. So here goes nothing!
Well, world, I must now bid you viso gero (good bye). I'll be back with more in the coming days.
And thanks so much for reading this. You, sitting there reading this right now. Yes, you. You rock. God loves you. So do I.
jmb
It's been a couple weeks since I've written here. A couple of rather enjoyable, often crazy weeks, in fact. There is much I could say on a personal level, but I'll save my blathering on about self-discovery and trials for more personal forms of communication. So, good blogosphere, I treat you now to a summation of life lately.
Classes have been rather light lately, and my schedule has remained relatively open. I never have class in the mornings, and only ever for two or three hours in the afternoon. At first this free time drove my busybody crazy, but said busybody quickly found means to busyness. I've spent a delightful amount of time in prayer and reading my Bible, which at such a disorienting time and place is a divinely orienting thing. I've spent time at the gym, fulfilled my Canadian reputation playing pick-up floor hockey, and digested a nearly daily dose of political satire and news (thank you, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Colbert). But that's just the free time.
I was approached rather last minute to join a team for the annual KVN comedy show here at LCC. For those unfamiliar with KVN (join the club) it is essentially the Russian version of SNL. Except it's a competition between two teams. Competitive comedy, with a week to prepare. Talk about pressure. But, at the same time, talk about fun! Countless hours over the past week and a half were spent rehearsing, planning, editing, mixing, revising, and laughing. Though I must admit that, due to my late arrival on the scene and my profoundly un-Russian sense of humour, many of the jokes I delivered made little sense to me. But I'm thankful they were found funny upon delivery..
Our big show was last night, though, and it was certainly a success. We laughed, we cheered, we panicked, and at the end of it all, we won! My team was comprised of a Canadian, Albanian, Latvian, a few Ukrainians, Russians and others. So even if we hadn't won, the experience of working and laughing with all these wonderful people is one I will not forget.
I've started a practicum/internship/volunteer placement at a local school for children with developmental disabilities. I went in for the first time yesterday with my professor, who helped me navigate the halls and language differences. But I go in on Monday by myself. I'm really excited to begin, but I definitely got the impression that this school is a challenging place to work, and my time there (especially with so much broken communication) will be a challenge in many ways. But I'm ready. What's the worst that can happen? Perhaps I'll be confronted daily with challenging or uncomfortable situations. Likely, in fact. But, hey, I came here to experience and learn. Hard to do that sitting in your room twiddling your thumbs. So here goes nothing!
Well, world, I must now bid you viso gero (good bye). I'll be back with more in the coming days.
And thanks so much for reading this. You, sitting there reading this right now. Yes, you. You rock. God loves you. So do I.
jmb
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Here and Now
Hey People,
It's a chilly Saturday night in Klaipeda. Not too much going on. Just some reading, Russian TV dramas with roommates, and further experiments for dinner. The quiet time is nice, though, after a positively dizzying two weeks. As far as any sort of summation goes, I'm not sure even where to begin. My thoughts (and emotions) have been so strong but scattered that, for now, I'll provide you with a brief recap of my Lithuanian life thus far.
On the morning of Monday, January 3rd, I left Toronto, Canada. On the evening of Tuesday, January 4th, I arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania. I (and two travel companions) were promptly ushered into a taxi with a driver who spoke no English and hurried across the city to our three-day-hostel-home, just in time to head out for dinner with 18 strangers (fellow American students from various places, with a few Lithuanian helpers) to order from a menu we could not read food we had never eaten. Wild. But great.
The following two days were spent in Vilnius -- walking for miles, snapping pictures, eating out, mangling basic Lithuanian phrases, meeting new people, and all the while still meeting each other. It really is a special experience to be thrust into such intimate quarters with people you've never met, especially with the added expectation that these new faces are to become your close friends throughout the adventure. But I've been blessed to meet some great people and have some solid companions as we all embark on this adventure. [to see more of Vilnius, see my bookFace page]
It's fun to mangle words.
So by Thursday night we were in Klaipeda, greeted by staggering wind and sleet. But it was great to finally get settled in the place that will become our home for 4 months. In a funny way, it wasn't until classes began on Monday that my life began to slow down. The past week has been one of rather serious adjustment, but also some great exploration and fun. To be truthful, this adventure thus far has been a roller coaster of excitement and apprehension, anticipation and anxiety, but if you are really interested in those details then perhaps we could talk directly. But above it all, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and all the lessons I have learned even in this short time. Simply put, fearful uncertainty is being slowly replaced with bold certainty in God's faithfulness and my own need to be challenged.
Classes in this context have a much different feel, but I am excited for what I will learn from that very context, in addition to the material itself. I'm taking three psychology classes (Abnormal Psych, Theories of Personality, and Research Statistics), and Introduction to Lithuanian. I was also just approved for a practicum/internship at a local institution. Though there is much to be determined, it will likely be at a local orphanage. So in the meantime, any prayers for that endeavour are much appreciated.
It is now quite late. I acknowledge that my recapitulation has been rather brief and somewhat vague, but I assure you that more details (and pictures) will come with time. I have many things starting up this week, and I'm very excited to become more involved with this new community (both on campus and off).
If you are reading this, then I assume that you care about my adventures in some way. For that I thank you very much. It can be an isolating thing to be so, well, isolated, but support from all of you is a great encouragement. So thank you. Or, as they say it here, Aciu!
Sudie! (Go with God)
jmb
It's a chilly Saturday night in Klaipeda. Not too much going on. Just some reading, Russian TV dramas with roommates, and further experiments for dinner. The quiet time is nice, though, after a positively dizzying two weeks. As far as any sort of summation goes, I'm not sure even where to begin. My thoughts (and emotions) have been so strong but scattered that, for now, I'll provide you with a brief recap of my Lithuanian life thus far.
On the morning of Monday, January 3rd, I left Toronto, Canada. On the evening of Tuesday, January 4th, I arrived in Vilnius, Lithuania. I (and two travel companions) were promptly ushered into a taxi with a driver who spoke no English and hurried across the city to our three-day-hostel-home, just in time to head out for dinner with 18 strangers (fellow American students from various places, with a few Lithuanian helpers) to order from a menu we could not read food we had never eaten. Wild. But great.
The following two days were spent in Vilnius -- walking for miles, snapping pictures, eating out, mangling basic Lithuanian phrases, meeting new people, and all the while still meeting each other. It really is a special experience to be thrust into such intimate quarters with people you've never met, especially with the added expectation that these new faces are to become your close friends throughout the adventure. But I've been blessed to meet some great people and have some solid companions as we all embark on this adventure. [to see more of Vilnius, see my bookFace page]
It's fun to mangle words.
So by Thursday night we were in Klaipeda, greeted by staggering wind and sleet. But it was great to finally get settled in the place that will become our home for 4 months. In a funny way, it wasn't until classes began on Monday that my life began to slow down. The past week has been one of rather serious adjustment, but also some great exploration and fun. To be truthful, this adventure thus far has been a roller coaster of excitement and apprehension, anticipation and anxiety, but if you are really interested in those details then perhaps we could talk directly. But above it all, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and all the lessons I have learned even in this short time. Simply put, fearful uncertainty is being slowly replaced with bold certainty in God's faithfulness and my own need to be challenged.
Classes in this context have a much different feel, but I am excited for what I will learn from that very context, in addition to the material itself. I'm taking three psychology classes (Abnormal Psych, Theories of Personality, and Research Statistics), and Introduction to Lithuanian. I was also just approved for a practicum/internship at a local institution. Though there is much to be determined, it will likely be at a local orphanage. So in the meantime, any prayers for that endeavour are much appreciated.
It is now quite late. I acknowledge that my recapitulation has been rather brief and somewhat vague, but I assure you that more details (and pictures) will come with time. I have many things starting up this week, and I'm very excited to become more involved with this new community (both on campus and off).
If you are reading this, then I assume that you care about my adventures in some way. For that I thank you very much. It can be an isolating thing to be so, well, isolated, but support from all of you is a great encouragement. So thank you. Or, as they say it here, Aciu!
Sudie! (Go with God)
jmb
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hello from Lithuania
Hey people,
I write to you now from that distant land of snow and ice and kepta duona. It's a little land with a lot of spirit, in a part of the world few of you may ever consider, with a language few on earth can understand. After a week of moving and seeing and gawking and leaving, we have finally arrived in our new home. At Lithuania Christian College International University. In Klaipeda, Lithuania.
So, far from home in a corner of the world I barely even know, with people I do not know speaking languages I do not know, I'm going to spend my semester. It's a rather frightening prospect, such extreme unfamiliarity. But it's also undeniably inspiring. Challenging. Exhilarating.
So here it goes. I have much I could say already, but I will save some of my thoughts for the clarity of retrospection. For your visual stimulation in the meantime, if you are interested, pictures are available on the Face Book.
Thanks for stopping by! That's all for now.
jmb
I write to you now from that distant land of snow and ice and kepta duona. It's a little land with a lot of spirit, in a part of the world few of you may ever consider, with a language few on earth can understand. After a week of moving and seeing and gawking and leaving, we have finally arrived in our new home. At Lithuania Christian College International University. In Klaipeda, Lithuania.
So, far from home in a corner of the world I barely even know, with people I do not know speaking languages I do not know, I'm going to spend my semester. It's a rather frightening prospect, such extreme unfamiliarity. But it's also undeniably inspiring. Challenging. Exhilarating.
So here it goes. I have much I could say already, but I will save some of my thoughts for the clarity of retrospection. For your visual stimulation in the meantime, if you are interested, pictures are available on the Face Book.
Thanks for stopping by! That's all for now.
jmb
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