Living in Lithuania is not without its challenges and
cultural misunderstandings. For those who know me well, having the middle name “Awkward”
only adds to the occasional faux pas.
 |
| This guy has stories. |
For example: last week in Lithuanian class we began to study
adjectives. Being two staff members auditing a student course, it sometimes
can be embarrassing to offer our own answers or questions in an audience that
is not our peers, but those we mentor.
Our professor, Radvyta, advised us to
turn to the proper page in our text book— it was filled descriptive images of
different physical attributes, labeled in Lithuanian. Immediately, I pointed and
said: “Hey, it’s Josh!” pointing at a pirate-esque male character with an
eyepatch and stubbly beard.
Immediately, the class roared with laughter.
After
further inspection, I did not identify a pirate, but rather the pictured example
for “ugly.” The eyepatch was a Band-Aid and the stubble was acne. Not the best
way to describe your spouse…
Uncomfortable situations aren’t always bad. I love shopping
at the open-air market and grocery store. We’ve been frequenting one called “Maxima.”
Their shopper’s rewards program earns credit at the local movie theatre—eventually
we’ll have enough credit for a date night!
 |
| Home-made Cheezits, complete with hole! |
Upon one visit to the grocery, Josh and
I were inspecting something to drink and deciding
whether it was the right choice. Around the corner came a very distinguished
gentleman, in cap and leather-elbowed blazer. He looked down at the package in
my hand, up at me, and down at my hand again. Making eye contact, he blew me a
kiss and continued with his shopping. The decision had been made — into the cart
it went!
Unfortunately, Maxima doesn’t carry all of the creature
comforts we were accustomed to at home. We have had to adjust our diets and
frequent recipes to the ingredients that are available. There’s no cream of
tartar, Crisco, Chocolate Chips, or Cholula hot sauce… but we’ve made do. I’ve
even attempted making my own Cheezits (and they were pretty satisfying). It’s
all part of the journey.
 |
| Students paint a collaborative picture during Art Week. |
When times seem difficult, it’s not hard to find
encouragement. This past week the Resident Life team sponsored “Art Education
Week.” There were nightly events to inspire and engage the student body in the
musical and visual arts.
Since LCC International University does not currently have fine arts programs, our hope was to fill that gap with some intentional programming.
It was AMAZING. The response was so great to the “Funky
Jam” on Wednesday night that we hope to host more in the future. We also had an
art show on Thursday with over 50 pieces of student art on display — the talent
pool here at LCC is unbelievable.
Additionally, we started work on a mural and
it’s almost finished. There are about six core girls who are helping paint it
and it’s been lovely to get to know them better as we paint together. (We'll post pictures of its progress in a future post)
 |
| The Funky Jam, an improv jam time, is one way students can exercise their creativity. |
Through all these adventures, I never forget those we’ve
left behind in the States. I had the unbelievable pleasure of chatting tonight
with Steve and Darla Schrock and welcome their son, Samuel Joseph, to the world.
I cannot express the joy and sadness it brought to my heart to share some time
with them on this happy occasion, but to be so far away from such dear friends
during such a blessed event.
Occasionally, I feel the spirit of Hal Shrader calling out to
me when a song pops into my head. I’ll be walking from the dorm to DeFehr, the main academic building, to
pick up printing and, out of the blue, I start singing: “Hey, I just met you and
this is crazy, but here’s my number, so call me maybe…”
For those who don’t know
Hal, he’s quite fond of this Carly Rae Jepsen chart-topper. Although catchy, it’s not one of my favorites,
so I like to think that when it comes to mind, it’s Hal thinking of me all the
way from Arizona.
Hey, I’ve just blogged a bunch, and this is crazy, but I’d
love to video chat, so Skype me maybe?