A Day in Dubrovnik

Hello all!

What a day we've had and we have just only finished lunch! We started our day with a walk around the old wall. It only took us 2 hours (2 kilometers!) It was so beautiful! What amazes me is that people actually still live in the old city. After a while we just got used to seeing people's laundry hanging out their windows and across the narrow streets.

There's an interesting feeling being here. About 68% of the old city was bombed and destroyed during the war of 1991. They've done an amazing job rebuilding. But it's interesting to see the 32% that survived the war and the new parts. One guide book says that they had a hard time matching the new roof tiles with the old ones.

As soon as I send this, we're going on a walking tour of the old town. So I'll probably have a lot more to tell about Dubrovnik. I'll be done walking after this!

I hope to be able to post some pictures tomorrow, as our accomodation says they have internet access...we'll see.

Check out this page for more info on Dubrovnik!
http://www.dubrovnik.hr/
Blessings to you!

Erin (Karen & Tracey, too)

P.S. Mom and Dad, when you come this summer, be ready to do a lot of walking!!! And STAIRS if you walk the wall.

Erin Barrett http://www.bound4thenations.org \o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/ Az Úr, a te Istened közötted van; erõs õ, megtart; örül te rajtadörömmel, hallgat az õ szerelmében, énekléssel örvendez néked. SOFÓNIÁS 3:17 (Zeph. 3:17 in Hungarian) <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>

Random Rambles

I've been looking at some random blogs and realized that I don't put enough on mine. So here's some random thoughts from my life:

Yesterday, I was taking the bus to choir practice when an elderly woman got on the bus a few stops after me. She had a hard time getting on but eventually found her seat..facing me. She got off a stop or two before me. Here's the fun part...when she got up she didn't say anything to me, but used my knee to help herself up. I was a little shocked at first, then just found it funny. It was no big deal, just kind of unusual. I'd never had that happen before. Made me laugh.

Salagavato (hope I spelled that right)

Last night my school had their "ribbon giving" ceremony. It's when the graduating students are given the ribbon that identifies them as just about to finish school. So part of the Salagavato is that the students prepare dances to perform for family and friends. Each class selects a style and local choreographers donate their services. The teachers even prepared a dance (I was part of this.) It was fun. Then, at the end the students dress in white dresses (girls) and tuxes (guys) and do a traditional waltz. That was beautiful!

I need a haircut. I got one just before leaving the USA and it wasn't even a good one. So I have an appointment on Wednesday to get it cut. It's grown out enough I think that it will be good.

I've discovered the ease and joy of "just add water" food here in Hugnary. Knorr is one of my favorite brands of spaghetti sauce and soup mixes. The best part of Knorr is that the instructions are in English! Not sure how good that is for me, but it'll do with my schedule.

I hate sweating! Seems no matter what time of year, or the weather, I can't NOT sweat! I walk into class sometimes and my forehead is just dripping. My students must think I'm nervous about something, but I'm not...just sweating! One good think is that I don't seem to have a BO problem..not that I can tell anyway. :-)

Well, enough rambling for now.

December Already?!?!?!

Hard to believe! I know it's been a while since I've posted...but I'm not sure who reads this blog...oh well.

Here's a link to my latest newsletter.

Enjoy!

Erin

Technology is a Wonderful Thing

Now, I'm not just talking about how it makes life easier, but how it
can enrich one's life.

I'm sitting in my flat in Budapest, Hungary. I spent the day at the
thermal baths and I'm exhausted, ready to go to bed. I also just got
off Skype (www.skype.com) with my family in Washington. My niece
played a soccer game to day (her team won!) and they are getting
ready to go to a party at my aunt's house. It amazes and satisfies
me to know all this stuff going on in their lives.

I even talk on Skype with my 80 year-old grandmother! The only cost
to me is the internet connection which is $20/month (I split the
total with my roommate.) I'd spend a lot more on that for a phone
call, and a lot more time writing letters (and maybe getting a
response.)

This type of technology has made it easier for me to live overseas.
I talk to my parents almost every day. We know what's going on in
each others' lives...with a continent AND and an ocean between us!

Amazing!

What happened in September?

Read my newsletter...Click Here!

Clean Cat-couldn't resist

AP Photo/ A cat in Louisiana being cleaned after being rescued.

Erin's quote "Now, do you really think this cat is grateful for this? Some rescue!"

Culture shock...finally!

Since I've lived in Budapest before I didn't think I would experience culture shock quite as hard as before. ("Before was 10 days in a Hungarian hospital!) Well today was probably the closest I've come! I was on time for work. Just two metro stops away when something (in Hungarian) was announced over the speakers and everyone got off the train. I just sat there thinking "this is a popular stop." Well the controller came on the car and said "Vég allomás" which means "last stop." I was like, "what?" Something was wrong on the track. Long story short...I eventually found the "alternate transportation" after trying to call Janna several times, only to have my phone's battery die, and got to school one hour and 20 minutes after leaving home...it usually only takes 40 minutes max!

Needless to say, I didn't even make it to my first class. Zsuzsi, that class' form teacher was super and stepped in and gave them a task. I'll find out tomorrow what that task was. From what it sounded like, that kind of thing happens and Hungarians are just used to it. Several of the students were late today for the same reason. Kati, another English teacher was actually on the train that broke down to cause the back up. She had a great story to tell of walking from the train over the tracks to get back to the station.

So, I made it through the rest of the day with no excitement (12e class is a story for another time!)...punks! But I still love them. :-)

Quotes to Ponder

These are two quotes of the day:

"Under capitalism, man exploits man. Under communism, it's just the opposite."
-John Kenneth Galbraith

"Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it."
-Cullen Hightower

Interesting English

I was at a restaurant with some friends the other night. It was on a boat on the Danube River. Nice place, good gulyas! But the menu translation is what really caught my attention. Quite funny...

"WE WELCOME YOU ON BOARD OF THE FORTUNA BOAT!

SNUG YOURSELF, ENJOY SLEW OF THE WAVES, STROKE OF THE WIND AND NOT LEAST THE CULINARY EXPERIENCE SERVED BY US.

WE WISH YOU A PLEASURE AMUSEMENT AND DO NOT FORGET WE WAIT FOR YOU BACK!"

Looks like I've got my job cut out for me as an English teacher here in Hungary!

Blessings,
Erin

Jet Lag!

Well, it's 4am here in Budapest. I arrived yesterday afternoon at about 5pm. I'll probably see this time a day for the next few days. Oh well!

Arrived save and sound to overcast and rain! Nice break from hot southern California.

Blessings,
Erin

Dashboard

This blog entry is being made on a widget on my dashboard. This new Tiger OS X is awesome!!!

(No, I'm not in my car...if you're not a Mac user, you might not know what I'm talking about...but that's ok) :-)

Erin

Last "State-side" Entry for a while

I'm off tomorrow for Hungary! We leave around noon.

Training was great. It really helped prepare me for what I am going to do. I also think it's prapared me for a bit of the unknown too. One of our favorite mottos here at training is "lower your expectations!" Of course they don't mean of God, but of situations.

I'm so blessed to be going back. I know that this is what God has for me.

Here you can download my Fall Newsletter

Thanks for checking in on my blog. Write a comment and I'll try to answer!

Blessings,
Erin

TeachOverseas Teachers

Here we are. There are more this year than there have ever been. Over 200 including returning teachers. Almost 100 are new teachers.

Name for my Song

Well, I've been playing it a lot the last few days. I don't think I'll
be putting words to it. At least not right away. I'll just name it and
put it into Garage Band. The first song for my CD! I want to name it
for someone. Not sure yet. "_______'s Theme" or something like that.
I'm up for suggestions!

When I get it into my computer, I'll post it for you to hear, then maybe
a title will come.

Blessings to all,
Erin

4 down--1 to go

Four weeks of training is done! And things are starting to settle down a bit. Tonight I was actually able to sit and enjoy a couple (that's right...a couple) of movies.

I feel so blessed to be part of this organization. Today we visited the head office and saw the "brain" of ESI. The brain is an interesting part of the human body. It controls every aspect of our biological functioning. It tells the arms to hug, the heart to beat, and the eyes to cry. It's a wonderful, complex thing. When a brain works well when there aren't crossed wires or "rouge" parts. ESI is very well run, but yet there's heart and passion in everyone who works there.

This time has been at least a year and a half coming. When I left Hungary last September, I wasn't sure I would be going back. Of course, my heart's desire was to, but I did struggle with doubt. And in the course of my time in Alaska, doubt creaped up even more. I'm feeling like I'm finally on the "right track." Teaching is what I'm called to do...and to share Christ's love. ESI is allowing me to work fully in that...to answer that call; "Here am I, send me!"

I'm not a expert when it comes to knowing God's will. But there has always been a sure-fire way that I know that I'm in God's will. It's when I have true peace in my heart. I'm not anxious about going to Hungary. I'm excited and prepared. My financial support is pledged and things are working out.

So all the glory goes to God.

Something else is happening. I'm writting music. This is something I've wanted and prayed for for years. So far, I've got the music for one song. Now I just need words. I'm not sure where it's going yet, but I'll keep you posted!

Thank you all for reading and praying.

God Bless!


Click here for pics of me and my teammate.

Ah, the Pacific Ocean

We did get a break in the gruelling schedule last weekend. We spent an evening at Huntington Beach! Quite a fun and unique thing for this Alaskan girl! We all had a great time.


Before the wave hit.


Right after.

Training

Training continues to be busy and packed full. I hardly have 15 minutes to relax all day. We go from 8am to 9pm or later. But it continues to be very good training and all worth while.

It was a long time getting here and I'm very glad to have made it this far. God is faithful!

My teammate Janna arrived today after two weeks at her graduate program at Azusa Pacific University. She has just one more semester of work for her Masters in TESOL. She's worked very hard. We've already clicked very well as friends and we are looking forward to getting to know each other better and finding out how we will work as a team.

Well, I should get to bed. Another long day tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,
Erin

Kids yelling in the car?...try this.

OK, I know it's a bit harsh, but funny!

Heat Stroke!

Well, I'm not sure if that's what I had, but it was not fun. This
afternoon, after I had lunch, I took a nap in my room. It was upwards
of 91 degrees outside today (actually had cooled down) and I woke up
just sweating like crazy. i drank some water, but didn't feel really
thirsty. So I took my temperature and it was 100. So I took a cold
shower and moved to an air conditioned room to work on some homework. I
was in there for about an hour and a half and it helped a lot. I also
found some ice for my water.

I'm just not used to this heat! I'll have to be careful to keep the H2O
intake up! I don't know how people live here! And Pasadena is not even
the hottest place in the country or world right now. I guess some
people just have different metabolism and ways to keep cool. Not sure.
Oh well, in the mean time, I'm trying to keep cool.

Note: If you're reading this blog leave me a comment to let me know that
you're reading. :-)

Blessings,
Your melting friend,
Erin

Day in Pasedena

We had a fun day today (both in the literal and sarcastic sense). The ESI staff had been keeping this secret from us all week. We had an "All Day Event" on our schedules, but no explanation.

So it turned out to be a scavenger hunt in downtown Pasedena. I did manage to "cool off" a bit today....to 85! Still hot, and we were walking for most of the hunt (we tood the bus into downtown).

The hunt consisted of clues to locations were we were to find out some piece of information (what color a statue was, the cost of something in a coffee shop, etc.) then we called a number and were given our next clue.

I had a gung-ho team that was very competative. It was an interesting exercise in team work. We even identified a couple that don't seem to be team players...very interesting.

Well, long story short...MY TEAM CAME IN 2ND!!! Of course we were hoping for 1st, but there was still a prize for 2nd...a $5 gift card to RiteAid (there's one really close to the campus.)

To top off the day, as we were finishing lunch, a fellow teacher found out that her grandmother had died suddenly and unexpectedly. And on the way back to campus, the bus blew a radiator or something (lots of green liquid pouring out of the bottom of the bus) and we had to wait for a replacement.


I have a huge blister on my foot and my ankles are really stiff. But, praise God in it all! It was a fun day, and I'll never forget it.

At Training

Well, I don't know where to begin this update. I've only been here at
ESI training for 5 days, but it's been super intense. We are going from
8am to 9:30pm, with no more than a few 15 minute breaks and meals.

Let me explain a little of what the training consists of.

There are about 150 new teachers going over seas this summer. With all
the returning alumni, there will be over 300 teachers serving in central
Europe, Morocco, central Asia, and China.

At training, we attend various workshops and seminars on Teaching
English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), Group Dynamics, and ministry.
Like I said, we've only been at it for 5 days, and we've done so much.

The training is intense. We are put through some very hard, emotional
experiences. It's definitely like a boot camp. Our trainers are
providing an environment that can be stressful and frustrating at
times...all intentional and with a purpose. They are creating scenarios
that are similar to what we will be experiencing overseas.

And in the midst of us receiving a lot of input, we have also started
practice teaching. I've taught two nights so far this week. We are
teaching at a local church, using real ESL students. That has been my
favorite thing so far. Even though most days we only have an hour to
plan (again, intentional on the staff's part).

Because we are in Pasadena, California, I don't think I have to tell you
how this girl from Alaska is fairing. It's HOT! Most rooms have A/C,
but our dorm room does not. And for our practice teaching sessions we
have to dress up, so sometimes that mean trousers for me. But I'm
getting by, learning to take cold showers and avoiding the mid-day sun.

So, please pray for me. Not that this will necessarily be easy, but
that I will be changed by this experience. One of the core values of
ESI is "transformation." They definitely provide for that.

I have gotten involved with the worship team (yes, in addition to all
the crazy training). I led last Sunday and it was awesome. This
Sunday, I'll be up again, and with a great team.

Thanks for praying. Since I do have internet now, you can write me. I
would live to get your encouragement. Please understand if I don't
respond right away. I AM staying up late tonight to get this out, but
there will be little time for me to spend on e-mail.

I can also receive letters and packages (hint hint). I didn't have time
to collect pictures of Alaska to be used in some of my lessons, so if
any of you are so inclined, it would be great to receive a bunch of
postcards from Alaska! The address MUST look like this.

WCIU
Aylward
c/o Erin Barrett
ESI - TeachOverseas Teacher (write this line BOLD)
1539 E. Howard
Pasadena, CA 91104

Please note, this address will not be good after August 20th!

Thanks again for praying. It's midnight now, so I must go to bed...6:30
is fast approaching.

God bless all!
Erin

--
\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/\o/
Erin Barrett
E-MAIL: bound4thenations@yahoo.com

BLOG: http://bound4thenations.blogspot.com
HOME: http://homepage.mac.com/hbarrett/Erin/Menu33.html

On the road again

Turned out to be an injection coil or something like that. Dad will
probably send a more technical explanation later. But for now, I'm
typing this quickly and then will be on the way. Dad's getting the Jeep
now and I'm packing.

Still hot here.

Love,
Erin

News from the road

Went to top up the gas tank and the Jeep wouldn't start...argh! Had to
call AAA. Tow truck came to get us and we dropped the Jeep at a repair
shop just across the highway from the hotel. May be fuel pump, fuel
filter, or something. It's turning over, but not catching.

So, we'll call in the morning to see if they can repair it
tomorrow...maybe we'll get to Pasadena by tomorrow night...may have to
drive in on Saturday...will know more when repair shop opens at 8am.

Stopped by the Center for Digital Storytelling in Berkley...nobody
home! Drove over the Bay Bridge into San Francisco, parked and walked
from Pier 39 to the street cars. Line was too long to wait for a ride
on the street car...looked like a 3 hour wait!

Drove back over the Bay Bridge to San Jose to find flee market, but it
was mostly closed (slow day) by the time we got there. We did drive
over the section of the freeway that had collapsed in the quake of
'89...the only "new" section.

We got some retail therapy in at Gilroy. Dad got some garlic and we
both bought some clothes...productive visit to the outlet mall!

Weather's hot...I got a sunburn at Pier 39. They are saying there's a
40 degree spread in temperatures in a 25 mile radius of the Bay Area.
Yesterday we drove through 100+ degrees...might have contributed to the
car troubles.

Well, will keep you all posted. We'll send an e-mail tomorrow morning
(love this high-speed-internet-in-the-hotel stuff!) Number here is
(408) 776-7676.

Love you all!
Erin (and Dan/Dad/Grandpa)

July Update from Erin Barrett

Hello all!

I'm still here in Seattle. I'm leaving tomorrow to make my way down to
California for training with Educational Services International (ESI.)
I've been enjoying this break. I've spent time with family and had some
time to relax after school got out. And today I attended the wedding of
my cousin Scott. But starting on the 16th, my vacation is over.

Below is a rough time line for the rest of the summer:

July 10 Train to Eugene, OR.
July 12 Picked up in Eugene and leave for California (driving with
my dad)
July 16 Training starts with ESI
Aug 23 Arrive in Budapest, Hungary
Sept 1 Start teaching

So there's the basics. Thank you for your support and prayers. God has
been faithful. All of my upfront support has been pledged. (note: if
you are still planning to contribute follow instructions at the end of
this e-mail).

I have a web page and blog that I will try to keep updated.
http://homepage.mac.com/hbarrett/Erin/Menu33.html

Here are some prayer points:

PRAISE: For God's faithfulness and provision.
PRAISE: For my team of financial supporters
PRAISE: For a great time with family.

PRAY: For the team formation in California. I will be meeting my team
for the first time. Their names are-
Janna, Danielle, Erick, Skye, Jon, Tracy, Sam, Janelle, Brady, Matt,
Kimberly, Joanna, Sarah Jane, Lidia, and Steve.
Janna and I will be roommates and working at the same school. The
others will be in (or near) Budapest.

PRAY: That Janna and I will become good teammates/roommates. Pray we
will learn to get along and live together.
PRAY: For safety in travel.
PRAY: That God continues to provide for me as He always has.
PRAY: For divine appointments at training and after arriving in Hungary.

Thank you for praying!
God Bless,
Erin

Information about support:
Prayer is the most important way you can support me. By receiving my
monthly e-mails you will be informed monthly about how to pray and hear
about answered prayer.

Another aspect of my support team is financial. ESI has an agreement
with the schools in Hungary that makes it possible for me to live
inexpensively. But my involvement with ESI does require me to raise
$250/month (September - June) in administrative support. This money
goes towards providing for team retreats, a resource library, and
special projects. So far, I have had $150/ month pledged. If you would
like to pledge $10 or $20 a month keep reading for instructions on
sending it in.

Make checks payable to Educational Services International. In the memo
line, be sure to put "Acct. # 205125." In order to receive a tax
deduction, DO NOT put MY name on the check. Use the account number.

Mail check to:
Educational Services International
444 E. Huntington Drive Suite 200
Arcadia, CA 91006

If you are interested in having your contributions automatically
deducted from your checking account, contact Linda Binder at
<lbinder@esimail.org>. Unfortunately, ESI does not do credit cards.

Check out this link...

A speech from Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple & pixar, given at a college
graduation ceremony.

Click here

Long time...much to share

I know it's been a while since my last entry. So much has happened. So I'm not sure who will be reading this, but if anyone is interested, here goes...

October 2004-June 2005
Taught 8th grade language arts at Heritage Christian School
Substitute taught for Anchorage School District
Volunteered at "The Bridge" ministry (food ministry at my church)
Volunteered with Alpha ministry
Was accepted to ESI ministry to Hungary.

Well, that's it in a nutshell.

Hope to keep writing.

Let me know if you read this.

Blessings,
Erin