Igname

I went to the market and I discovered a new vegetable, it's called an "igname". Apparently we have it in the US, they are called yams in english. Don't be fooled from the outside, which looks like a sweet potato, it's not the same. It cooks quickly and tastes similar to a sweet potato, but it's white inside and has a slightly stringy consistency.

igname=yam
Je veux tes nouvelles=I want to hear how you are doing

I'm back!

After a one year break, I'm back in France. The great thing is, I can continue from where I left off, well sort of. Instead of filling in on all the missing time, I'll just have flashbacks from time to time. If you are just starting here, feel free to read the older entries, my experiences in France seem to get richer and richer.

I am currently living in Paris as a bénévole (volunteer) with an association called the GBU (Groupes Bibliques Universitaires or University Bible Groups). Our goals are to gather students together and have discussions about the Bible. It's simple and anyone can be involved. We want to led people to discover truth for themselves and come to learn more about Jesus. This a calling that I received when I lived in France the first time.

The first day I arrived, I was so excited and filled with wonder. I kept thinking "I live in Paris". It's a statement that I still cannot quite grasp, though I've been here for almost 3 weeks. I was able to find an apartment in the 15th arrondissement which is pretty classy for me. It was truly God's provision because it's extremely difficult to find a place to live here. I am so thankful because I have all I need and I lack no good thing. Since I have arrived, there has never been a dull moment. I think I feel a flashback coming on. To be continued...

Reykjavik airport: A hidden wonder

What can I say about a place where I spent 17 hours? Well I didn't leave the airport so my findings may be quite biased. I will still share.

When I arrived, I decided to find a nice to place to sleep so if I did wanted to leave the airport, I would have so energy to do so. I found a spot next to a spanish-speaking couple and snuggled into my warm blanket and used my macbook for a pillow, it worked quite nicely. I played some tunes and drifted off to sleep. When I go to the place between sleep and dreaming, some guy paid by the airport to be mean, woke me up. He said I wasn't allowed to sleep on the ground. Disappointed and still tired, I went to find a seat so that I could sleep. If we couldn't sleep on the ground, then I assumed we could sleep on the seats. I found a spot and propped up my feet on my suitcase, it was warmer than the floor. Soon again I drifted off into sleep land with the help of some smooth music. Again he came and woke me up. What was his deal!!!??? I wasn't sleeping on the floor that time. I soon discovered we were not allowed to sleep at all. We were trapped in the airport and they didn't want us to sleep. What were we supposed to do?

I talked to my dad a little on skype and he told me I could punch in his good eye, a family expression I assume most people don't understand. Either way I wanted vengeance. I don't function well without sleep, yet I tried to make the best of my surroundings. I started talking to the these guys who came and sat by me. They were friendly italians full of energy. Maximo had warm, kind eyes and a nice smile; his friend Roberto looked like Ben Stiller and he was funny (What are the odds?); and the last guy who's name I forget was nice without any sort of distinguishing features. Maximo played my guitar for while and sang, it was awesome. I played some but felt less-talented and shy. Communication was not so easy because he english wasn't so great but I managed to learn a little about them. They were good friends on vacation for 10 days. They arrived around 2am, and they were trying to decided about getting a rental car. Then they would explore Iceland. He told me that it was an adventure which meant they didn't plan much in advanced. It was a shame that I was only passing through because they seemed like a fun bunch of guys. Though it was probably for the best considering Roberto offered his friend Maximo to me. I felt at one moment that the guitar playing seemed more like a serenade.

I talked to another guy named Matt from Colorado. He was nice as well and sitting next to me when I first met the italians. He had these dreamy blue eyes. He decided to go into town and bravely bare the cold and wet climate. I wasn't in Iceland to pick up guys or to be picked-up but I was entertained for a while and shockingly not cranky. I don't want to speak too soon but I can say that my morning monster could be getting less scarier.

All I can say is I haven't slept much and I am happily typing this entry. I'm not too tired. I feel really hopeful for the next phase of my life. My optimism keeps me from feeling sad that I left my home for the moment. I'm putting my energy towards seeking God's plan for my life and desiring to be sensitive to hear the plans He has for me.

My inspiration for today comes from Psalms 42:6,12, it repeats the same verse twice. “Why am I so sad? Why am I troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.” What else could we possibly need?

L'été à Nantes/Summer in Nantes

Même si je suis sans travail, sans de l'argent, je trouve toujours une activité de m'occuper. C'est vraiment facile! Il faut avoir une imagination et l'energie. Je prends les vacances c'est vraiment les vacances et pas une petit pose de mon travail. C'est une bénédiction de Dieu d'avoir ce privilège ce que je n'avais jamais eu. Chaque jour je remerciais mon Dieu parce que je ne les merite pas...

Even though I am job-less and penni-less, I always find something to do. It's really easy! All you need is an imagination and the energy. I am taking a vacation, a real vacation and not a little time off from work. It's a blessing from God to have this honor that I never had before. Everyday I thank God because I don't deserve it...

Good photos and fun times. I even inserted a video too.

Summer Highlights in Nantes

Due to the fact that the french get 5 weeks of holidays per year, it's my task to adapt to the system as part of my cultural studies.
I'm loving life, living simply and feeling very spoiled... Bonnes Vacances!

Highlights: June & July

• House sitting near the centre with Shagate le chat
• Meeting missionaries, mostly americans
• Picnics near the chateau and near the Loire river
• Bikes rides, fixing my bike, then more bike rides
• Long walks of reflection and prayer
• More reflection, more prayer
• Reading
• Playing guitar and singing
• A little dancing
• Staying cool on hot days
• Encouraging conversations
• Making new friends
• Seeing people leave, sniff sniff...

More to come...

 

 

Time Goes Fast

I have this perpetual feeling that time is going by so quickly. There is no way to stop it. I am in a car driving and I cannot stop. Time won't stop itself and I can do nothing to stop it.

This may even clarify the dream I had the other day. I was driving my dad's car with my sister, Tiffany. We were driving down a street with trees on both sides. The car suddenly started to accelerate and I panicked. There was something ahead that I could potentially crash into so I stepped in the brakes. They didn't work and I had to make a quick decision. I remember telling my sister I would have to use the emergency brake. I grabbed it with my right hand and pulled up. The result was stunning. The top detached from the bottom leaving the wheels and seats while the rest flew off. We were still safe and the car but it was wrecked. I freaked out because I would have to pay for it. Then my sister decided to say something. She said "Tell them you found it like this already."

Sometimes we start things that we cannot stop, this it could be a good thing.

How to obtain a visa

How a person may obtain permission to live in France, and most other western European countries:

1. Student visa: This is the easiest way to have a visa. You choose to study and apply to any school you like. Success rate: High
2. Work visa: This is the most difficult way to have a visa. You must be able to preform a job no  french person can do, meaning you have to be very specialized. Success rate: Low
3. Marriage visa: This is an ideal way for some people to have a visa, yet not so easy. Finding someone to marry is key, being committed for the rest of your life would be another challenge all together. Success rate: Uncertain

My recommendations:

All options are possible but none are ideal. Finding a place to live and having to battle with permission to stay is tiring and frustrating. I recommend having a concrete plan and sticking to it. If it doesn't work, then it's not meant to be, therefore return to your country and try another method. In all circumstances, enjoy your stay to the fullest and don't let the administrative stuff get you down. Respect the rules as much as possible.

Worshipping and enjoying life in Nantes

Wondering what lies next...