Yoga & A German

A couple things came to my mind today and I just had to write them down. I thought producing them into a blog post is very appropriate.

Yoga…I started last week Monday. Last week, I thought I was going to die. I felt like I had been hit by a bus without knowing. I knew I would be sore, but gee-wizz, that was just unnatural. Muscles that I didn’t know existed, exist! How do I know? It’s sore in areas I didn’t even know existed! I’m sure a question that comes to your mind is…do you sweat while you yoga? Do I sweat?! Is there another word that can be used? ‘Sweat’ absolutely does not touch the meaning of the liquid that drains out of places and spaces on my body. No, it does not help that there’s a decent amount of people squeezed into a small loft. Yes, the windows fog and drip with condensation. No, there’s no air movement such as a fan or open window. Yes, we have soothing music in the background. But still.

A German...I have many different friends here from many different countries. One of my friends’ is called Michael. Now Michael is German…English, of course, is his second language. Michael speaks English very well, but has that German accent too. Often I can misunderstand what he’s actually saying. Sometimes my misinterpretation can be funny, offensive, or just down right not even close to what he’s trying to say. This past weekend we were sitting at a table together, hanging out, and catching up from our week. We got on the topic of family and he was trying to remember my nephew’s name. He said it’s hard to remember because it’s a new name to him. I reminded him that his name is Atticus. He recollected and leaned back in his chair.

He said, ”Atticus…hmm…I think hive har dead.” Obviously meaning to say, “Atticus, hmm, I think I’ve heard it.” NOT what I heard, at all.  Please recite, ‘I think hive har dead’ fast, like it’s a Mad Gab game. You just may hear what I did….…did you hear it? You betcha, I heard “Atticus…hmm…I think I’ve farted.” After I finally acquired a small amount of composure, I took a deep breath, wiped away my laughing tears, and told him what I thought he said. He laughed his German laugh, tilting the head back, mouth open wide, and laughed from the gut. I love Germans.

Edinburgh, Scotland...way up Arthur's Seat

22

Today is quite a special day. As far as I know, this is probably the best birthday I have had in my life. Today the 6^th of December, I am spending my 22^nd birthday in a coffee café in Lancaster, England. What?! This morning at Bible School, I have had four lectures. Of the four, we’ve looked at the life of Abraham and then Paul’s Letters, 1 & 2 Corinthians. Also this morning, I was so chuffed*, I found out I share a birthday with our school principal Rob Whittaker! Between lectures I went across the room to say hello to a few friends. I got a 'Happy Birthday' from each and four of my male friends surprised me with a wrapped present. Tied onto the gift were three little Happy Birthday notes! One was even folded into a heart...so cute. He even clarified writing, 'open it' because he didn't want me to think he just gave me a heart...what a sweet surprise.

If it’s your big day, here at Capernwray, lunchtime means a ‘Happy Birthday’ song…from the whole school. Birthday people get the brilliant privilege of standing on their chair while the whole school sings ‘Happy Birthday’ in the dining hall. As you can imagine, this is every student’s favorite thing to do on his or her birthday. Everyone get to stare at you, standing on your chair, they get the lovely chance to look up your nose, while you awkwardly try to find the expression that’s appropriate for this 20-second torture. Half of the students look like horror puppet dolls trying to force excitement on their faces. Then there’s those introverts, the dear ones, who almost start crying as they begin to turn beat red, sweat beads appear on their foreheads, and they start to sway back and forth, about to faint. It’s the best! No worries, I did just fine. Instead of a cake for my birthday, my lovely roommates gave me exactly what I asked for…scrambled eggs. They were so delish, I think I ate them in less than 30 seconds! I was also blessed with an improv happy birthday rap (at my lunch table) and a birthday card from the Capernwray Staff. Thoroughly enjoying the day so far!

I was just gob-smacked* this week and last…I have received a total of six birthday cards from my families! I knew none were coming so it made it all the more sweeter. Thank you so much to all who sent something! It makes being away from home a bit easier.

On Sunday, my roommates and I had the chance to take over a staff members’ kitchen to back cookies and chocolate muffins. Uh-maze-ing. We baked, put in a movie, stoked the fire, and trucked back to the castle in haily rain and mud.

Now, I am (of course) loving every minute here in the U.K.! But, of course, I do miss a few things from home…

American burgers (meat in general actually)

Food from my parent’s fridge

My brown Bible

My guitar

My family

Orville Redenbacher Natural popcorn

Skim Milk

My Queen Bed

Evenings with my parents

Movies with the family

Good carpet

Instant Internet access (wireless that works)

My wardrobe

My shoes

Laughing with my sister

My church

Big News:

December 16-28 I am doing music for Christmas (Holiday) at Capernwray!

December 29-30 and January 5-6 I will be in London!

Best yet...December 30-January 5 I am in Paris! Paris, France. January 3-4 we will be visiting Normandy as well. I am so excited!

So…do I really get to live in Europe and study the Bible? Yes. Am I really going to Paris for New Years? Yes.

Thank you, Lord for this life you have given me.

Posh English Lingo:

*chuffed: happy

*gob-smacked: surprised