So it's come to this

Two weeks from today I will be in transit home (for 2 months). Not that I am particularly ready to reflect on everything Romania just yet, I have a feeling that will come after separating myself for a few weeks and "detoxing" from the experience.

We are taken to many strange places in our lives. Places that expand our minds, force us to grow and allow us to change. Over the last four years I have changed, I will be the first to admit it, but I can't help but feel that peoples opinions of me have changed as well.

This is something many will not understand. I'm not talking about taking a two week mission trip and coming home changed (for a month then reverting back to the way things were), I talking about something that only people that live abroad for an extended period of time can understand. Immersed in the culture, struggling to communicate, feeling like an outsider all of the time, cherishing the monumental little things (finding cheese, a conversation that went well, bumping into someone randomly from university), these can only change you permanently and fundamentally.

I received my RSVP for my 10 year high school reunion, which got me thinking. I have nothing in common with any of the people that I saw everyday for 13 years. Outside of growing up in the same town. How do converse with these people? I will not be finding out this time around.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, I haven't decided yet) I won't be attending my 10 year, as I am required to be in the Dominican Republic for the start of the school year. It is at least saving me from some very awkward conversations with people I haven't spoken to in, most likely, 10 years.

Four years, three continents (Asia, Central America, Europe), amazing holidays, lovely people, only a handful of people that truly understand what my life is like. I haven't given up looking for more.

Israel Day One

I was given an amazing opportunity to travel to the Holy Land back in February. What began as a passing statement between Spencer and myself became reality and we were lucky enough to bless the life of a Romanian that, probably, would never be able to take this trip on his own. Danny Luca is a Romanian gentleman that has had a huge impact on Spencer's life in Romania and has had an indirect impact on my life. During the planning of the trip Spencer felt called to ask a Romanian to join us and Danny came to mind immediately. It truly was providence that Danny was on Spencer's mind, because Danny had been feeling a push to travel to the Holy Land on his own. Things worked out and I can safely say we each came back touched by the things we saw and feel differently after walking in the steps of Christ.

I have no idea if I will be able to go through every single day and recount what happened, but our (Spencer, Danny and myself) first day was exceptionally memorable for me. We covered so much ground it's difficult to believe how much we were able to see.  We started out with a breakfast of coffee and omelets provided by our hotel (Jerusalem Panorama) and we disembarked. Our hotel was situated just northwest of the outer wall of the old city. We started out with no idea where we were going, we just started walking. Less than half a mile from where we started we were pointed to the Garden of Gethsemane by a couple cab drivers. This is also the area where Mary is believed (instead of typing "is believed" over and over again, let's just assume that whenever I say that it "is" where something happened) to have been buried.

We came up from the Garden of Gethsemane to find the same cabbies there offering tours of the Mount of Olives. We went into a lovely area where there was a church and a grove of olive trees. We then went to a Russian Orthodox cathedral on the hill named in honor of Mary Magdalene (the gold dome of the cathedral is situated directly opposite of the Golden Gates, which have been sealed, but Christ will walk through once he returns). Our tour guide then told us of several opportunities we should take advantage of, the first being a trip to Bethlehem.

He called a taxi friend of his that picked us up. On the way we stopped at the area where Jesus ascended. To keep different Christian groups from fighting over the place, the keys are controlled by a group of Muslims. Inside the gate a concrete structure was erected to protect the spot from the elements. It is an unremarkable building for what took place there. We departed and took our short ride to Bethlehem. The trip to Bethlehem actually takes you into Palestine (where Bethlehem is located). Along the way our cabbie was telling us about the history of the wall separating Palestine from Israel.

Upon arriving, we were shown the entrance of the church that was constructed around where Jesus was born. The front opening is small, this has two purposes. First, is that it detracted people from bring animals into what is considered a holy place. It would be absolutely impossible for a horse to squeeze through the door, which is what they were afraid of. Secondly, there is no conceivable way to enter standing upright. The door forces people to show reverence for the place by bowing as you enter. Inside, behind the alter, is the area marking where Jesus was born and the manger in which he was placed. It is very ornately done, but dark and somewhat difficult to see.

After leaving the church we were taken to a shop that specializes in olive wood carving. There are some absolutely beautiful pieces in the shop. The nice lady that ran the store offered us tea and treated us to lunch of falafel and humus. We purchased some souvenirs and left to rejoin our original tour guide back in the old part of Jerusalem.

We walked the Via Della Rosa from where Jesus was imprisoned, through the stations of the cross (including the areas he fell under the weight of the cross) all the way to the Holy Sepulchre (The Holy Sepulchre is an enormous building built on top of Golgotha). Outside the Holy Sepulchre is the place where Jesus was disrobed and flogged before being crucified. The crusaders built it and it has been built on since that point. We had the timing exactly right, because we entered when there was hardly anyone there. The three of us were able to touch the top of the rock (very moving experience to think that I was able to touch an area where Jesus bled and died, words cannot possibly do the experience justice) and then made our way to the place where Christ was entombed. The part of the trip was probably the most somber, not much was said.

We exited the Holy Sepulchre and parted ways with our tour guide. On that first day we were able to see the place where Jesus was born, where he was before being arrested, where he died and was buried and where he ascended from this realm. All in all, a pretty good day.

My time in the Sicilian mob

I am almost one week removed from my time in Sicily and I have made some conclusions.

1. A week of cultural experiences outweighs a week of seeing the sights. On my last trip to Italy, I was very much left to my own devices. While I had someone to show me around Rome at night, most of the day I was left wandering the city by myself. I saw so many things, I don't remember them all. The draw back has been, I didn't really get to experience Rome through an Italian's eyes. More likely I saw Rome through an American's eyes visiting Italy. This is fine, but Sicily was very different. I was able to stay with a true Sicilian family in Vittoria, travel to homes of others and see more of what the average person would likely miss. I was filled with food, learned how to play with Sicilian playing cards and learned some Sicilian words. To say that I had a good time would be putting it lightly.

2. I need to stop underestimating Italian weather. Two trips to Italy, two cold experiences. Neither one would I consider bad, I just arrived and found myself ill prepared. Both times I left Romania under the impression that I would be going someplace significantly warmer, only to be slightly right. The weather in Sicily was not below freezing, but with the overcast days and it barely reaching 40 degrees, it made it colder than expected.

3. Killing with kindness. I have never eaten so much food over such a short span of time. When Eliseo told Spencer and I that Sicily was about family and food, it sounded like a great idea. Let's get the family together, have dinner and fellowship afterwards. And it is, but I walked away from most experiences feeling like my insides were about to burst. Eliseo's dad is an incredibly nice man with a very short attention span. On more than one occasion we just finished eating and he said, "So, what do you guys want for (the next meal)". I am halfway certain that Eliseo's dad believes me to be anorexic. It was every hour he would ask me if I was hungry. Everyone went out of their way to make sure I was eating as much as possible.

4. Sicily in my mind's eye. Vittoria is an actual city, but we did have the opportunity to have a meal in exactly what I envisioned Sicily to be. We were all invited to Uncle Luigi's (how great it that name) for lunch. We left the city for a small country house, surrounded by fields on both sides and greenhouses across the street. Greeted by two lovely Sicilians that were short and adorable. We had pasta for the first course and a quiche for the second. Following lunch we had the obligatory coffee and played cards for close to three hours. I can't imagine ever having the opportunity to do something like this again.

This may go down as the best trip I took while in Europe.

I've been waiting a LONG time for this one

For the first summer since graduating from Greenville College in 2004 I don't have to worry about my employment heading into the next school year. The relief that accompanies the joy that I have is a difficult thing to explain. The closest feeling accomplishment I have ever had was when the Ohio State University was able to win the National Championship in 2001. Overwhelming peace accompanying a feeling of excitement.

After bouncing around over recent years (South Korea, Dominican Republic, Romania), I am going back to the place that feels as much like home, away from home. Santiago Christian School, here I come. My departure from the school took me on an unexpected journey, but my heart has never really left the people and students from that school. 

I had initially left to ensure that I would be able to return and teach in Ohio after my travels came to an end. While I was unable to secure my licensor for the future, I was hit with the realization that I don't necessarily want to teach in Ohio. While I love the people back home, my horizons have been broadened to the point where it is difficult to enjoy the slow paced Ohio lifestyle. It's a wonderful place to be filled and refreshed on short visits, but is difficult in large doses.

I return to SCS in a slightly different capacity than last time, taking over the computer science position. A position that has laid unoccupied since my friend Ben left to become the P.E./Athletic Director. I am so excited to be heading back to a place that I feel completely comfortable working in, with the kids, teachers and administration. While I don't know the capacity with which I will be completely used, I am pleased as punch.

As more information becomes available, I will let everyone know. So, two months from now I need to be considering changing the name of this blog from "Drew in Romania" to "Drew in the Dominican Republic".

Christmas time is here

I love what I do, but it is always nice to have time away. Going into this weekend, I am not sure what all will happen. What I do know is that I am going to have time away from Arad. Time away from responsibilities and an apartment that has become all too familiar.

After experiencing an Eastern European Christmas last year, myself and the Balls are traveling more toward the center of Europe. Tomorrow we embark on a weekend trips spanning three countries, four cities and two fellow missionary families. Some of the highlights include Vienna, Budapest, and Bratislava.

If you have not been out to Romania it may be difficult to understand, but the farther you go west in Europe the more "civilized" it becomes. This is not by any stretch a slam on Romania, but a truth that other countries have had more time to thrive. It has been only 20 years since Ceausescu was kicked out of office and it takes awhile for a country to get back on its feet (also the fact that Romania has only been an EU nation for two years).

Being able to have some time to kick back and relax is, I have a feeling, just what the doctor ordered.

Once every three months

That's about the distance between instances which are completely overwhelm me and make me really miss the people I have left behind. Many things came together quickly today and hit me with "the feeling" today (and it is a nearly impossible thing to explain, many have felt it on some level, but unless you have spent a considerable amount of time living overseas you will not be able to fully understand the depth of disappointment of being away).

At various times I have had something similar, whether it was while away at college or summer camp when I was younger. The problem with both of those scenarios is that at any point you can pack up and go home. That hasn't been an option during my travels. While I am experiencing things that others aren't, that's part of the problem. I'm doing most of these things alone.

With Christmas right around the corner and a new nephew waiting for me at home, "the feeling" has hit extra hard this time. Before, I was missing graduations and birthdays (neither of which I wish to diminish the importance of), but now I am missing births and consecutive holidays. I know I have been called to do works which will help the kingdom, but some days are harder than others.

Missing you guys... so much.

For Grady...

On the day my family gets a little bigger, I have decided to do a blog in real-time. Throughout the day, I will be posting updates and my general thoughts, as my lovely sister Amanda gives birth to her first. This is also a way for me to cope, because of my inability to be there for the blessed event. Throughout the day various people will be Skyping me to give me updates. Even though I am in Romania, I will be posting the time as EST.

4:56 Amanda (Da) is scheduled to go into the hospital at 5. I am guessing they are well on their way (if they haven't arrived already). I talked to Da for well over an hour yesterday. She said she was in very good spirits and wouldn't mind going longer. She had not gotten to the point where she was begging for him to come out. After dinner with Mac and Roxi, I called to wish dad a "Happy Birthday" and he said that Da got called in to sub the second half of the day.

5:55 First contact with the family. Mom (ShaeShae) got on skype and we chatted. Everyone had a restless night in anticipation. ShaeShae said she didn't get to sleep until well after midnight and was up by 3:45. The comparison is very much true, being that we all know Grady is on the way, today is like being a kid Christmas again. There is excitement, mixed with anticipation. Something magical is going to happen and everything is going to be different. At Da's request dad and ShaeShae won't be going to the hospital until 7:30, when Dr. Ty Huggins breaks the water.

Graden "Grady" Jonathon Riggle. Graden is from Gaelic origins meaning "renowned". I am fairly certain the deciding factor is because Josh's professional baseball team he has adopted has a particularly exciting player named Grady. My brother-in-law is a very big sports fan (although not always for the "good guys") and he has been able to instill some fanaticism into my sister. Amanda has successfully become an "All Things Ohio" fan. This allows her to fit in well with dad and I. So, even though they had a bit of a rocky path getting to Grady, I believe they picked a winner. 

8:38 First Skype call. Called dad's cell phone, because he wasn't talking on Skype. The hospital gets horrible cell reception. Da has just received her epidural. Waiting for dad to install a new AVG update for the computer, and we will have our first legit computer to computer call. Looking forward to some kind of status report.

8:43 First Skype update. Mom says Da is having a lot of back labor, but the pain has subsided since having the epidural placed. Contractions are coming close together. Talking snacks with dad, cause there's not much else to discuss until the babe starts moving (dad and his sweets). Dad making me sick by walking the computer down the hall from the waiting room to Da's. Josh is looking at paint swatches while his wife is in labor. Josh apparently does not do well with needles as he began to get sick while the nurse had a difficult time getting the IV in. Da says the contractions are coming one on top of the other, but she can't feel them ("and that is WONDERFUL"). Da on the phone with Pap and Mare, said Mare is having a rough go of it. Da is getting really tired and fighting off sleep while she is talking to me.

Still on the phone. Da's not allowed to talk anymore because they have had her lie on her side. Grady is currently face up (which is not the preferred positioning), so she is now no longer laying on her back.

10:20 Da is completely dilated and as soon as the doctor arrives, she will begin pushing. The nurse was incredibly surprised with how quickly Da became dilated. Last conversation dad ran to McDonald's to pick up food for the hungry bunch. Amanda was not privy to that information though.

10:25 Dad calls Sarah and we are all talking together. Filling her in. Dad texted both Sarah and Liz to tell them about Da being at 10 cm. Sarah admitted to not calling dad on his birthday. Sarah is thinking about getting in the car right now and leaving, even though she still has work to do today. ShaeShae came in and said the nurse had Da push through a few contractions, they are now waiting a little bit to call Dr. Ty. Still waiting for Grady to adjust himself.

Funny story time. During my chat with ShaeShae first thing in the morning she told me a story. ShaeShae has worked for several years with another kindergarten teacher, Sarah. Sarah has three children the oldest being Sammy. Sammy is now in ShaeShae's kindergarten classroom this year, but was very concerned when he found out that Da was going to be having the baby today. Yesterday, Sarah mentioned to Sammy that he would be having a sub instead of Mrs. Walter. When Sammy asked why she wasn't going to be at school Sarah explained that Mrs. Walter was going to become a grandma. This news upset Sammy. He then asked his mom, "Is Mrs. Walter still going to be my teacher?" The piece of information that threw Sammy off was about the grandma. He has two grandmas that don't have jobs. So, upon hearing that ShaeShae would be joining the grandma sorority, he was afraid he would be losing his teacher.

11:08 Coming live from the delivery room dad called me. Da is pushing. All I hear is a persistent beeping and the sound of Josh counting. As I look at dad's face he is doing an incredible job of staying composed. Dr. Ty is commenting on how well Da is doing. Da is staying very calm. I cannot hear her at all. Dr. is now asking my plans. I find it funny that with the job at hand he has time to small talk.

11:15 Her Da giggle about something Dr. Ty said. It is the first sound I have hear her make. Out of respect to Amanda we have gone silent. Dad is giving me the play by play. I was able to see images of her holding Josh's hand as ShaeShae hovered protectively over them. "Dr. Ty is moving everything into place as everyone starts putting on the necessary equipment (masks and hair nets). The time is getting much closer, Dr. Ty says she's getting close. She is pushing hard. It is really difficult. Lots of cheerleading from the doctors. The Baby's head is out and they are delivering the shoulders.

(12/3/2009) 11:21 Graden Jonathon Riggle has entered the world. Now the countdown to when I finally get to hold him begins. Even though I can only see what is happening, I can tell that ShaeShae is telling "mom" what a great job she did. I am so proud of my little sister. So happy that she made it through this and will soon be holding her son.

Mom has not been able to take her eyes off of son since he was put in her arms. Even while talking on the phone, eyes stay glued to the new edition.

11:49 Pap "Great-grandpa" is the first one to sing to Grady. He made the special request to be the first to have that privileged. The room is filled with people calling everyone they know. Mom says he cried a little when he came out, but calmed down quickly.

An emotional day to say the least. I still don't know the exact measurements yet, but Josh's sister Joyce is guessing 8 lb. 7 oz. from the picture she saw.