Let the orientation's begin!

It's official! I have permanently moved into my house where I will be for the next 6 months with the 3 students in GTS II and Julia! Its a beautifully renovated house that is the house closest to the base! For all of you that haven't experienced a European lifestyle or I should say GTS lifestyle, where you walk EVERYWHERE! I need to take pictures during the day because our lighting is weird.

One of my favorite decorations in the house is a picture mounted on my wall. This is probably one of those funny GTS jokes as well because we of our rules against dating and students pairing off. When I first saw this picture Julia told me we had to take it down but I told her this would keep up with Susanna Hipple's tradition of praying and interceding for him who will surely come. ;)

While all my bags and things were strewn all across my bedroom floor I was getting ready for the day and threw my straightener along with its converter back into my bag. Next thing I know my shaving cream is going off like a bomb and my whole room, bag and outfit is getting covered in shaving cream. I quickly grabbed the bag and threw it in the sink! I found shaving cream dried up in the strangest places for days...

Culinary Corner

Thaddaeus and I were excited for GTS II orientation and baked some cookies for the meeting at the Thomas'. Note too much butter really makes a drastic difference...and so does missing ingredients like almond extract and vanilla. ;)

I made Raspberry Jam cookies
1/4 sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 egg
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup Raspberry Jam
(Not my cookies on the tray in the picture on the right...the white things with pink jam)
Preheat oven to 375 Fahrenheit. Cream the egg, butter and sugar together. The recipe said to put the dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then slowly combine the two, but I always just gradually add flour and the other ingredients as I mix. Divide the batter into 4 evenish parts. Roll each individual parts into a log about 12 inches long and 3/4 inch wide. Place on 2 ungreased cookie sheets. I used my finger into the logs to make room for the jam. I cooked them for 20 minutes and let them cool. When I cut them half of 'em were extremely crumbly and didn't look very presentational. They tasted awesome though and were almost completely consumed by the 2nd year team!

I am super duper excited about GTS II!!! Chandy and Sarah are so awesome and have made me feel very comfortable to be on their team. I not only look forward to getting to know the Thomas family better but to serve and learn from them! Some of my duties with GTS II include being an RA, small group leader, admin, assisting Sarah with planning on the Israel trip, and helping with the Roman's Bible study. A new challenge for me is to teach a class on organizational management and I am kinda nervous about it and can't wait to start preparing! I am also hoping to share about blogging and digital networking in a class Chandy is teaching on "Newsletter and Correspondence."





Today Tabitha and I went down to town to do some birthday shopping. We hitched a ride with the Benko's who were going down to do lots of errands. It was fun having a copilot and I really enjoyed spending time with Tabby at Starbucks and taking pictures around Limassol. We made friends with the Starbucks employees who helped us use my ipod touch to get online. Going to town is a real privilege! Its about 30 minutes away and not everyone gets the honor to shop at 5-ways, visit Starbucks and (sometimes) grab some yummy thai food! Hint, hint Serah! ;)





I came home to internet set up in the GTS I offices and the worship building. Norman promises my internet will be set up soon so keep your fingers crossed! Tomorrow is a full day of orientation and helping Serah cook for the community Shabbat. I hope to post a recipe of Mrs. Rudolph's Moroccan Chicken next! Expect lots of pictures of everyone all cleaned up and lookin' their best!
(my mouth is totally full in that pic)

Cooking and Cleaning in Cyprus

After a day in the house, resting, sleeping and all that fun stuff I ventured out to the new base which is an old restaurant. It’s a pretty cool setup and I am really excited for the adventures waiting in Fraktis. Before dark I had a chance to take a peak at my new office set up which is in the old corner store. The corner store apparently was so hopping they built a big ‘ol grocery store down the road…so now its just a normal grocery store.

I helped Marissa cook some homemade marinara that she turned into Bolognese and I turned into a yummy

veggie sauce over penne with a simple salad. Only base staff are eating meals together right now so last night there were merely 6 of us. We could only find 3 forks so 3 of us used spoons! =)

Today I got up with the rest of the group and headed to worship around 8AM. I spent the rest of the day setting up the library and organizing stuff…making beds and getting ready for school to start!

Matti and I were the cooking team tonight and we had fish on the menu. The GTS I team had dinner together so it was just 4 of us. Julia really helped me out because the boys were out late dropping off a load of things to the land.

We made roasted rosemary potatoes, sauted green beans and a yummy lemon, garlic fish. The fish was to die for. The recipe is as follows…

4 tilapia filets (totally defrosted)

olive oil

1 whole lemon (1/2 juiced, ½ thinly sliced)

salt and pepper

garlic powder

fresh dill (one bunch)

3-4 cloves of fresh garlic (coarsely chopped)

Preheat oven to 200º Celsius. Arrange filets in pan. Drizzle a little olive oil over it. Juice half of the lemon and pour evenly over fish. Salt and pepper to taste. Add a little garlic powder. Rub seasonings into fish. Evenly disperse garlic and dill over fish. Place a sliced lemon in the middle of each fish. Bake in the oven for approximately 30 minutes or until fish is flaky.

Erev Shabbat dinner was a dream! The Wilks' invited two car loads of us to Paphos to enjoy a relaxing evening in Aphrodite Hills. We watched as the sun set over the Mediterranean and fellowshipped together over a pot of chili and red wine from our land. The night ended with a cheesey action flick that everyone criticized and I dozed off in the car ride home.

After sleeping in as late as possible (try over 12 hours) I took a long walk over to Cas' apartment in Trimiklini. Hannah joined me on half of the 45 minute walk and I took my time taking photos through Moniatis and Trimiklini of all the familiar homes and shops we drive by often. I really enjoyed myself and wanted to share these with everyone who hasn't been here or have missed the beautiful Cypriot mountains!

There were lots of Cypriots out and about on this lovely, sunny Saturday and I was SO tempted to take pictures of them as well! I couldn't pass up the chance of showing you how incredibly expensive petrol is! Now don't forget, this is in euro cents, PER LITER! With the exchange and multiplying it by 4 (4 liters in a gallon) gas is roughly $5.44 a gallon. Now you know why I walked for 45 minutes to get to Cas' apartment.

Well we are attempting to stay warm and trying to get everything ready for the students coming this week. Please keep us in your prayers and that we are productive and have everything ready to welcome in the new school year. I hope to keep up the blogging!

My Cyprus journey

Travel time: approximately 25 hours

I don’t know if you really know yourself if you haven’t done 2 days of traveling, alone in foreign countries. It’s a revelatory experience full of challenges and hours of silence. Something I horribly dread.

Mrs. Rudolph gave me a word in 2008 that God was calling me to a season of being alone. Appreciating time between just Him and me and that she didn’t know how long that time would last but she set me up for what’s been exactly that: lots of alone time.

I have learned this year to appreciate the quiet times alone. For anyone that knows me, I’ve come along way and I don’t think I’ve ever said the words “I need alone time.” Perhaps I’ve learned to like myself enough to enjoy me for a bit. I definitely would be frightened and think I was depressed if I didn’t know this season was ordained by God.

First, I had a room to myself for the first time in Cyprus in 2009. Being an RA and living with students I appreciated my space. Then I came home and my sister got married and again I had my own room and found myself spending a lot of time in it...just me and the Big Man upstairs. The third greatest challenge of flying solo happened less than 24 hours when I traveled overseas alone. I have flown alone and dreaded it! But I just found myself flowing through all the transfers, including trains and shuttles without much hesitation.

Getting on the plane in the first place was a confusing experience. Everyone in my family, the friends that surround me and people at church continued to question my motives and kept bringing doubt in my mind about returning to the island. Again, I knew I had a word from the Lord and pressed onward. I cried often and kept asking God if He had changed His mind. As I sat at my gate in DFW, I admitted to someone I just needed one person to tell me I was doing the right thing and needed to get on that plane. If my friend hadn’t assured me I heard from the Lord and was doing the right thing I may have walked out of that terminal.

The gentlemen that sat next to me before I got up and found an empty row was from Ethiopia. He works in Dallas but was going home to visit family. Man have I had a connection with Ethiopians this fall! He was a little too friendly for me so I couldn’t wait to get up in the air. I love KLM but their planes are always empty which is always a plus for me because I get a row to myself and can sleep better. But I cross my fingers that the airlines will get more popular and continue their direct flights from DFW to Amsterdam.

My layover in Amsterdam was a fun, quick visit with Shawna and Ari. I met Naos and re-met Shea Shea who was cuter than ever. Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries and I didn’t get much of my half day trip in the city. Naos took us to a Dutch bar where we had traditional food and I played with the hired mouse catcher (a kitty cat) inside the pub. It was too short but an enjoyable stop on my way to Cyprus.

At the train station I met a Cyporiote traveling from DC back to his home. It was so random that he started talking to me at the train and then happened to be a citizen of the island. I saw him again at our gate and he talked my ear off. He had spent his layover seeing the city and was interested in my visit to his beautiful country. I don’t remember his name. He had a Jersey accent.

I slept most of the plane ride from Amsterdam to Cyprus. I was so tired from traveling and felt all funny. I sat by a British woman who had lived in Ios Mamas for some years but didn’t know anyone I knew. She was sweet and looked after me while I slept by throwing my trash away and putting up my tray when I was sleeping. We first landed in Paphos and then traveled to Larnaca. I hate doing that, messing my ears all up for a 20 minute flight!

Once in Cyprus I easily went through passport control and collected my bags. The carts are like at Orphanides now, you put 2 euros in but you get it back once you’ve returned the cart. Unfortunately I didn’t have a 2 euro coin so I had to get change for my 5 euro bill. I was taking a shuttle from the airport to Limassol so I spoke with the desk titled “shuttle” and he informed me I had to go talk to the bus driver outside and buy a ticket from him. It was a little intimidating going out into the dark, cold parking lot and telling some guy I needed a ride. He loaded my bags and I used my new phone thanks to Katho to call Joel to let him know I was going to be dropped off at Saint John’s church.

I guess I jumped on the 830 bus instead of the one at 915 so I had some more alone time while I waited for Sandra. Cyprus is a funny little island and pretty safe so I wasn’t worried. My phone had died so I waited patiently. I went to take my backpack off and apparently hadn’t zipped it back up after getting Joel’s number (I was practically in zombie state) and ended up throwing my computer down on the sidewalk about 3 feet. My CD/DvD player is broken which is most unfortunate before 6 months without a TV. My computer is my only source of entertainment! I’m praying I can find a Dell shop that can fix my player for free. =) Just kidding…but please do pray that it can get fixed for a fairly inexpensive amount!

I was greeted by Hannah, Marissa and Julia and spent some time sharing my funny traveling experiences with them. I’m staying in my old room at the moment and even though houses haven’t been permanently assigned I’m hoping I get this house again. Suzanna and I had some good times in this room and it’s the most peaceful room I’ve slept in all my years here. The new base isn’t as close as it was before but a brisk walk in the morning can do you some good!

I slept well last night and got up around noon to a short visit with Cas and Serah. The girls came home from working on the new base and we had lunch together. I get the day off for recuperating and then tomorrow I’ll start working with them. I can’t wait to see my new office!

Well I’ve written a novel and have few pictures to liven it up so I will go. I don’t know how often I’ll blog so I won’t make any promises. I hope its something I find time for while I’m here. It's never been easy in the past!

Tinkle Tally?

PLEASE NOTE for future reading...
I have relinked this blog to:
WannabePam.blogspot.com
I've always been convinced I pee more than the average human being...until I met Lisa. In the office I've created a bathroom break tally to determine who pee's the most. I'm not sure if I want to "win" or not...its just what I do. So when Lisa goes to the bathroom she'll just yell out "1" or "3" or whatever number she's on. Today I'm pretty sure I only saw Hillary go to the bathroom once. So does that make Lisa and I weird or Hillary?

LUNCH
Thursday I brought a half an avocado and some sprouts to add to the salad. I forgot to bring my camera to lunch, AGAIN! Today I fasted lunch and spent an awesome 30 minutes in God's presence. Like I was IN the office soaking in Him. It was rad and I just thought of what kind of change that could bring to an atmosphere. So cool!

I had a pretty steady project all week that kept me outta the hole. YAY. So this is my demonstration of "drowning in paper work."

Part of the fun I've experienced with this temping thing is that Saphraine, mom and I all carpool together! Some days we leave at 645 and some days we leave at 745 depending on Saphraine's schedule. Corin and I have even had the pleasure of driving in together and catchin up on each others lives. The carpool lane is an experience in and of itself! One day Corin and I got stuck behind someone going like 40MPH the whole time. The time's driving have been filled with catching up and swapping work stories. I really enjoy the drive to and from work to spend with my family!

Though I did have to wait 45 minutes yesterday to be picked up and once I got to work 90 minutes early...but we'll look at the brighter side of things!

Hillary exclusive:
Today Hillary hollers out of her office "MELTING POT @ 8PM ON NEW YEARS EVE SO YOU GIRLS CAN STILL GO OUT AFTERWARDS!" I'm like What in the world!?!?! ME?!? And both Lisa and Hillary are like yeah, you should come.

First of all...I'm a temp. I could be gone any day. Second of all who makes plans 2 months in advance?!?! Apparently they do...so cute! I felt honored. Who wants to be my date for this extra curricular activity? ;)

Tonight mom and I went straight from work to a show in Plano. Lisa and Krishna came out and it was so great to hang out and go to IHOP and everything afterwards. DARN I forgot pictures of that...oh well...Thanks guys for coming out. As weird as you are, JK! =)

Well I think that wraps it up for this week. Here are the outfits for Day 12 and 13.

Midweek Entry

Apparently it's official. I'm known as klupto around the hotel. I think it was my SECOND day on the job and the HR director told me to go borrow scissors from housekeeping. I of course promised the nice man at the desk I'd bring his scissors back. I may have sworn my first child or something I worked so hard reassuring him! After hours in the "hole" where we were setting up the haunted house we went to lunch...and back upstairs...and then I remembered. I couldn't find the scissors! So the NEXT day the guy from housekeeping came up to the office asking about the scissors and they just gave him a random pair. He even said "Are these ours?" And my coworker had to tell him no, just take them.

So now to Monday. Almost like 3 weeks later! I go to get some feminine products from a girl from housekeeping. And a DIFFERENT employee says "Hey Shawna" yeah he's Turkish "Hey Shawna, did you come to steal some more scissors?"

WHAAAAT!!! This is a random guy who was not affiliated with the previous story...I'm the scissor thief from HR. That's what they call me when I'm not around. =(


I was a little insecure about Monday's outfit. Didn't feel like it screamed "ME." So at lunch the director of engineering asked me who dressed me. Apparently my outfit didn't pass his fashion test. Haha

Wednesday Lisa was out sick so it was one of those sink or swim days for me! I taught myself how to use their fancy fax machine, found payroll (so many doors and staircases around here!) and even found the 4th floor conference room. WHOOHOO! I
feel like a mole down here in this basement...

Culinary Corner:
I get lunch free at this assignment and most of it is not vegetarian friendly. Luckily they have a salad bar with fresh spinach everyday, so I usually stick to salad and even bring my own dressing that I get made fun of for...

Monday: Spinach salad with carrots, cucumber and croutons. I threw some tuna and guacamole on the plate. For a hot food I chose some rosemary potatoes...mmm yum!

Today's free lunch consisted of the same salad from Monday minus tuna and guac. I had left my dressing in the cafeteria and was so sad about it! But I found it with the condiments. How cool is that!?! For a hot dish they had leek and potato soup. I put some cheese on top, tada!

Oh I made a box for the Thanksgiving food drive. See the following:

Halloween Temp Work

As a temp you either find yourself busy being everyone's beckon call or you find yourself with a whole lotta NOTHING to do. Fortunately enough my most recent assignment has been pretty good to me. Not only do I keep busy for the majority of my day but I'm treated fairly as an equal.

Last week we had our big Halloween party where the employee's families came in to enjoy dinner and what we called "scary treats". =)

One of the first things I was asked when I came into this job was if I'd be willing to be a "scary" character for the party. Apparently its not the desire of most to scare children as a dead creature or something. I of course had fun with it and came as a dead prom queen/zombie princess/scary?

They went all out with a haunted house, craft stations, full on dinner, a little movie theater. It was awesome! The Haunted House was pretty intense made up of 2 rooms including a cemetery and a science lab! I of course stayed in the cemetery and worked on being scary.

Tuesday I was given an assignment for 530-1100AM! Lets just say I am really a night owl and could never do that shift on a regular basis! Spent like 30 minutes chillin with an employee from Thailand. We talked food and culture and I was eventually invited to stay with family in his homeland. It was a nice and unexpected treat from the Lord. Pretty general assingment. I was in bed by 9PM, totally exhausted!

I missed 2 outfits for this week but these were 3 that I got pictures of (can't forget the zombie outfit, I was on the clock):


I'll leave you all with the challenge to not completely give up at work! Frump works on a rainy day in the house but you spend more than half of your life at the 9-5. It sure makes me keep my chin up when I feel good about what I'm wearing. =)