Sunday, October 01, 2006
Revelation
Having just received my new wireless card that allows me to use the internet in places other than Fishnet, I've been in this cafe for nearly two hours. The guy at the counter, seeing I'd long since finished my coffee, offered to bring me a slice of cake. I must say, this "cake" is fantastically close to banana pudding! I'm enjoying a little slice of home right now. 
I spent this past weekend in the nearby Beskydy Mountains on the Revelation retreat (Revelation is the English Gospel choir I recently joined). I wasn't sure what to expect, as I barely knew any of these people and was somewhat intimidated, but it ended up being one of the most enjoyable weekends I've had here! Everyone was so good about translating for me, and they often apologized when they realized they'd been speaking in Czech and I didn't understand. One girl told me that they just consider me "one of the group" and forget that I don't speak the language! They always turn to me and start speaking in Czech until they notice the blank stare on my face. I have been told by numerous people that I look Czech, or at least that I could pull off being Czech, which is quite funny to me since in Spain I was so used to always standing out as a foreigner.
Last Thursday the Ostrava Arrows baseball team traveled to Prague for the final game of a five game playoff series. Since it was a national holiday, Laura, Nathan, Lucy, Jesse, Phoebe, Stacy and I thought that the team needed its cheering squad and decided to put on our new Arrows t-shirts and go watch. In a whirlwind of confusion at 7am, I suddenly found myself with Lucy, Nathan, and Stacy on my way to Prague on the team bus! (The others came in a car). What I expectd to be a miserable four-and-a-half hour busride with a bunch of rowdy Czech baseball players actually turned out to be fun...and it makes for a good story, that's for sure! The Arrows played a great game and were able to hold off the opposition in the final inning to win 7-6. It sure made for a crazy busride home, champaign and all! Now they go to the National Championship against Brno, who has won the title the last 11 years in a row. I'll keep you updated on how they do! 
Autumn has definitely arrived in Ostrava, and the leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of red and yellow! I've included a few pictures of the town (unfortunately none with trees..), including one of the theater where I saw the Music Man. This week is my first real full week of classes since there are no national holidays and so far I don't have any cancellations. So please pray for my time management and my sanity!
Song currently playing at the coffee shop: Amy Grant's "Baby Baby"
Fun Czech fact of the week: Many Czechs, being less modest than the normal American (in my opinion anyway), are completely comfortable changing clothes in public, whether it be at the baseball field...or in the office! (and I speak from personal experience on both)
My verse of the week:
Psalm 86: 8-10
"There is none like you among the Gods, o Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come up and worship before you, o Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wonderous things; you alone are God."
I spent this past weekend in the nearby Beskydy Mountains on the Revelation retreat (Revelation is the English Gospel choir I recently joined). I wasn't sure what to expect, as I barely knew any of these people and was somewhat intimidated, but it ended up being one of the most enjoyable weekends I've had here! Everyone was so good about translating for me, and they often apologized when they realized they'd been speaking in Czech and I didn't understand. One girl told me that they just consider me "one of the group" and forget that I don't speak the language! They always turn to me and start speaking in Czech until they notice the blank stare on my face. I have been told by numerous people that I look Czech, or at least that I could pull off being Czech, which is quite funny to me since in Spain I was so used to always standing out as a foreigner.
Last Thursday the Ostrava Arrows baseball team traveled to Prague for the final game of a five game playoff series. Since it was a national holiday, Laura, Nathan, Lucy, Jesse, Phoebe, Stacy and I thought that the team needed its cheering squad and decided to put on our new Arrows t-shirts and go watch. In a whirlwind of confusion at 7am, I suddenly found myself with Lucy, Nathan, and Stacy on my way to Prague on the team bus! (The others came in a car). What I expectd to be a miserable four-and-a-half hour busride with a bunch of rowdy Czech baseball players actually turned out to be fun...and it makes for a good story, that's for sure! The Arrows played a great game and were able to hold off the opposition in the final inning to win 7-6. It sure made for a crazy busride home, champaign and all! Now they go to the National Championship against Brno, who has won the title the last 11 years in a row. I'll keep you updated on how they do! 
Autumn has definitely arrived in Ostrava, and the leaves are starting to turn beautiful shades of red and yellow! I've included a few pictures of the town (unfortunately none with trees..), including one of the theater where I saw the Music Man. This week is my first real full week of classes since there are no national holidays and so far I don't have any cancellations. So please pray for my time management and my sanity!Song currently playing at the coffee shop: Amy Grant's "Baby Baby"
Fun Czech fact of the week: Many Czechs, being less modest than the normal American (in my opinion anyway), are completely comfortable changing clothes in public, whether it be at the baseball field...or in the office! (and I speak from personal experience on both)
My verse of the week:
Psalm 86: 8-10
"There is none like you among the Gods, o Lord, nor are there any works like yours. All the nations you have made shall come up and worship before you, o Lord, and shall glorify your name. For you are great and do wonderous things; you alone are God."
# posted by Jessica @ 6:27 AM 
