February > January

After the whirlwind of the fall semester, January felt incredibly long and cold. Being home in Texas for the holidays caused a fresh wave of homesickness when I returned here.  For me, living overseas means that homesickness is always there but some days it is stronger than others. 

 I have SO much to be thankful for here. I truly love my school and the work I do here. I have good friends who are kind and understanding.  I do not feel alone in this place.  And yet, some days are just hard.  I struggle to share about them here because I don't want people to think I am complaining, or that I'm not grateful for all the ways God has provided for my life here.  So I am trying to share more honestly about the harder times. 

I also got really sick at the end of January, which did not help.  I had not run a fever for years, probably since I was a first year teacher! :(  So many of my students and friends at school had illnesses, so there were lots of absences which always disrupts the flow of things at school.  

 I thank God for reminding me to choose joy on the long/cold/dark/hard days.  I'm not always very good at this but I am trying to get better. 

 (Reminds me of my dad's favorite answer to "How are you?" 

 "I'm not good...but I'm better than I used to be." Haha!) 

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February has been a MUCH better month for me, physically, emotionally and spiritually.   I have enjoyed going into the city a few times and even caught some sunshine along the Széchenyi Bridge (also known as the Chain Bridge).

Journaling and reading with spiced berry hot tea and a caramel muffin. Yum! 

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Last week was one of the most anticipated of the entire year at ICSB - Tournament Week!  Our school hosts a big basketball tournament every year.  I was so excited to experience this event for the first time.  It begins with some fun spirit dress-up days during the school week! 

The Elementary team went with a 101 Dalmatians theme for Character Day.  Our amazing principal agreed to be our Cruella De Vil! 

For Wacky Tacky Inside Out Day, a few of us went with a theme that will only make sense if you are familiar with the movie "Inside Out." :)  

The Tournament weekend kicks off with an all-school pep rally.  It was so fun! They introduce the Varsity Girls and Varsity Boys basketball teams and get the students pumped up for the big weekend ahead. 

A group of teachers (including me) did a short performance as glow stick people and it was hilarious! We danced to snippets of songs like Eye of the Tiger, Ku Fu Fighting, and the Cotton Eye Joe. The kids loved it!

The tournament itself was awesome.  If there is a highlight video posted by the school on Facebook, I will definitely share it because I want all of you to get a glimpse of what a special weekend it was! 

I snapped these pictures of the ICSB teams praying with the opposing teams before games. The other participants in the tournament were international schools from the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Russia.  There was such a spirit of fellowship and camaraderie among all the players and spectators.  The teams played so hard and gave their best effort in every single game.  

I can't believe I didn't take a picture of the American candy table.  It was a glorious sight!  There was only one candy I stocked up on though - Peanut Butter M&Ms.  Soooooo good!  

The tournament ended with championship games, a 3 point shoot-out, awards to teams and players, and an awesome reminder that what really brings these schools together is faith in Christ.  Parents, teachers, coaches, and students all coming together to enjoy a wonderful weekend of competition and fellowship. 

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The day after tournament was over, it was time to relax at the Széchenyi Baths.  I had been wanting to go here for so long!  

It is definitely a unique experience and the baths felt so good in the 35 degree weather!  There are huge pools outside and many smaller ones inside.  There are also steam rooms, saunas and many spa services.  

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This weekend I enjoyed dinner at the Balna! This complex is shaped like a giant whale and it is right along the Danube river.  It's really pretty all lit up at night! The inside feels like an upscale mall. I hope to go back when the weather is warmer and enjoy the views of the river. 

So fun to enjoy a dinner with friends on Friday night! 

I also enjoyed my first ice skating experience at Varosliget which is is a huge park in the city.  Can you believe the castle behind it? So beautiful!  

The weather was perfect, I was so happy to skate without my coat and enjoy the sunshine! 

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Thanks for reading my latest update!   I will be working on a newsletter soon to share more about my students and my ministry at ICSB. So let me know if you would like to receive it and learn more about what I am doing all the way over here in Hungary! :)