Last Thursday I helped celebrate my friend Lenka's birthday. It was at the same place as last year - a vegetarian restaurant called Maranatha in the BBC Centrum. This year there were two differences: firstly, I got lost, but thanks to my cell phone and a good friend near a computer, I made it an hour late; secondly, the dinner was followed by African dance.
Lenka is a very special and unique friend. She often helps get me out of my nice, familiar zone of comfortability and challenges me to try new things, yet unexplored. I have to say the African dance was a hoot! It was exhilarating to let go, to move it, to even shake it like a polaroid picture, pretending I'm Beyoncé. It is hard to believe that I've now celebrated two of Lenka's birthdays here. More and more I come to realize Prague is home.
Living overseas is not as tough as it once was. Modern technology sure helps! I'm continually grateful for Skype and Facebook. Some friends loath Facebook. Their opinion: "Why all of a sudden open yourself to high school classmates and others you fell out of touch with over the years for good reasons... because life circumstances and experiences led you down different paths?" They go on to argue that email and online chatting has resulted in the death of the letter.
While it is true I miss opening up my mail box to find letters and cards, I am glad for new and instantaneous communication venues. Viewing my cousins' kids' pictures, friends' videos of their kids, newly married friends' pictures of their travels, and colleagues' videos of their kids and/or worldly travels help me both keep and grow more connected. Admittedly, I sometimes grow a bit envious, but overall, I'm a FB fan!
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Super Bowl Woes
I somehow got roped into organizing a Super Bowl viewing at work in our 5th floor conference room looking out over the Narodni Muzeum and parts of Wenceslas Square. I sincerely doubt there will be more than 10 people, but we'll see. These little things are quite big in the grand scheme of things - and I find they go a long way to boost morale.
The game starts at 00:20. Yes, that's right - after midnight! Last year I actually watched it until about 4:00 am but left before Eli Manning's awesome pass to Plaxico Burress. Instead I had to settle for reruns on a German sports channel. Anyhow, last year was memorable - me, my cookies, and the tech guys, who enjoyed my cookies. We'll see who this year brings. I'm not baking as I need every bit of energy to stay up for the first quarter or two.
Today's not yet over, but it has been a good day. Enjoyed lunch with Aska, Dan, and Eliza followed by watching "Lars and the Real Girl" which is a very sweet movie if you haven't seen it. And, now for Russian homework! Arghhhhh!
The game starts at 00:20. Yes, that's right - after midnight! Last year I actually watched it until about 4:00 am but left before Eli Manning's awesome pass to Plaxico Burress. Instead I had to settle for reruns on a German sports channel. Anyhow, last year was memorable - me, my cookies, and the tech guys, who enjoyed my cookies. We'll see who this year brings. I'm not baking as I need every bit of energy to stay up for the first quarter or two.
Today's not yet over, but it has been a good day. Enjoyed lunch with Aska, Dan, and Eliza followed by watching "Lars and the Real Girl" which is a very sweet movie if you haven't seen it. And, now for Russian homework! Arghhhhh!
Farewell, January!
A wise man once told me I need not worry about penning lengthy testimonials, but rather keep to short posts which is exactly what I shall attempt to do tonight.
Well, January is officially over - that is 1/12 of 2009 already concluded. Wow. Don't know where it went.
Today was a slow day: I stayed in pajamas till about 3:30 pm. I struggled with extreme sluggishness and joint pain. I probably could have lounged the entire day, but I managed to do 2 loads of laundry and run the vacuum and clean the bathroom. I also attended a real treat for the ears, soul, and mind: "Heaven in a Nightclub: The Spiritual Roots of Jazz" with Bill Edgar and Ruth Naomi Floyd and an outstanding saxophonist whose name escapes me. Boy, we're they good! I especially enjoyed listening to Ruth Naomi Floyd - a mezzo soprano - sing old negro spirituals such as "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" and "Wade in the Water."
And for the last several hours, snow has been gently falling here in Prague. It is always something special to look out the window and see white. I wonder what Sunday morning shall bring...
PS: Below are a few photos from our ICP Women's retreat which took place last weekend. These are an awesome group of ladies!
Well, January is officially over - that is 1/12 of 2009 already concluded. Wow. Don't know where it went.
Today was a slow day: I stayed in pajamas till about 3:30 pm. I struggled with extreme sluggishness and joint pain. I probably could have lounged the entire day, but I managed to do 2 loads of laundry and run the vacuum and clean the bathroom. I also attended a real treat for the ears, soul, and mind: "Heaven in a Nightclub: The Spiritual Roots of Jazz" with Bill Edgar and Ruth Naomi Floyd and an outstanding saxophonist whose name escapes me. Boy, we're they good! I especially enjoyed listening to Ruth Naomi Floyd - a mezzo soprano - sing old negro spirituals such as "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" and "Wade in the Water."
And for the last several hours, snow has been gently falling here in Prague. It is always something special to look out the window and see white. I wonder what Sunday morning shall bring...
PS: Below are a few photos from our ICP Women's retreat which took place last weekend. These are an awesome group of ladies!
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