Big Ben.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
London and Barcelona
The past few weeks have been a blur of activity! I was fortunate enough to visit my friends in the United Kindgom and Spain and have a wonderful time visiting London for the first time and seeing old friends in Barcelona again.
LONDON: The city reminds me of New York City in many ways, but I was quite impressed with its Metro system 'The Tube', the politeness of the British, IBSA 'UK Bethel', double decker buses, and the 'bobbies'. London gets a bad wrap for its frigid temperatures but it was surprisingly and pleasantly mild when I arrived. The temperature only dipped for one or two days during my stay, but it was unseasonably mild during my visit. My friends stuffed with fish and chips, pints of ale, and even managed to serve me a 'typical' English breakfast. A typical English breakfast consists of crumpets (English muffins), baked beans, sausages, and eggs. Of course, this all washed down with cups of strong English black tea.
It was difficult for me to warp my mind around driving on the rightside of the car and passengers sitting on the left of the driver. It also drove me bonkers when I had to cross the street because my mind was telling me to look in one direction for oncoming traffic but I knew that in the UK they drive on the 'other' side of the road.
The city is SO clean but VERY expensive. The Euro currency is weaker than the pound currency. When I converted 500€ to pounds, I was horrified to receive only 359£ . I was ready to board the plane and head directly to Spain!
Its an expensive city but definitely a great place to visit. Also, I enjoyed seeing some old friends living there and I plan to return one of these days....now, on to....
BARCELONA: Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! It felt SO GOOD to be back home, I mean in Barcelona, lol. I admit Barcelona has always felt like home away from home. I love that city so much. When I picture the myself in the new system I always dream of living next to the sea and mountains. I love history and modernity. This beautiful, vibrant, and dynamic city offers all of those things plus a great location because its only a few hours by train or car from other cities I like in Spain and an hour or two by plane to cities I like to visit in Europe.
The sun was shining as brightly as it does in August, glistening off the calm blue Mediterreanean sea, painting the sky amazing hues of red,orange, and violet when it departed for rest in the west in the evening. Except for the chill in the air when the wind blew you could easily forget that it was January.
Barcelona is a European city rather than a Spanish city. The city is proud of its history but is looking progressively toward its future.
The friends I have there are wonderful brothers and sisters that relocated to Barcelona for one reason or another. I am looking forward to joining them in the expat community there.
If you ever have the opportunity please make a point of visiting the city of Barcelona. You may not love it as much as me but I think you will be seduced by its old world charm and/or awed by its modernity. See you there soon.
LONDON: The city reminds me of New York City in many ways, but I was quite impressed with its Metro system 'The Tube', the politeness of the British, IBSA 'UK Bethel', double decker buses, and the 'bobbies'. London gets a bad wrap for its frigid temperatures but it was surprisingly and pleasantly mild when I arrived. The temperature only dipped for one or two days during my stay, but it was unseasonably mild during my visit. My friends stuffed with fish and chips, pints of ale, and even managed to serve me a 'typical' English breakfast. A typical English breakfast consists of crumpets (English muffins), baked beans, sausages, and eggs. Of course, this all washed down with cups of strong English black tea.
It was difficult for me to warp my mind around driving on the rightside of the car and passengers sitting on the left of the driver. It also drove me bonkers when I had to cross the street because my mind was telling me to look in one direction for oncoming traffic but I knew that in the UK they drive on the 'other' side of the road.
The city is SO clean but VERY expensive. The Euro currency is weaker than the pound currency. When I converted 500€ to pounds, I was horrified to receive only 359£ . I was ready to board the plane and head directly to Spain!
Its an expensive city but definitely a great place to visit. Also, I enjoyed seeing some old friends living there and I plan to return one of these days....now, on to....
BARCELONA: Ahhhhhhhhh!!!! It felt SO GOOD to be back home, I mean in Barcelona, lol. I admit Barcelona has always felt like home away from home. I love that city so much. When I picture the myself in the new system I always dream of living next to the sea and mountains. I love history and modernity. This beautiful, vibrant, and dynamic city offers all of those things plus a great location because its only a few hours by train or car from other cities I like in Spain and an hour or two by plane to cities I like to visit in Europe.
The sun was shining as brightly as it does in August, glistening off the calm blue Mediterreanean sea, painting the sky amazing hues of red,orange, and violet when it departed for rest in the west in the evening. Except for the chill in the air when the wind blew you could easily forget that it was January.
Barcelona is a European city rather than a Spanish city. The city is proud of its history but is looking progressively toward its future.
The friends I have there are wonderful brothers and sisters that relocated to Barcelona for one reason or another. I am looking forward to joining them in the expat community there.
If you ever have the opportunity please make a point of visiting the city of Barcelona. You may not love it as much as me but I think you will be seduced by its old world charm and/or awed by its modernity. See you there soon.
I'M GOING TO PRAGUE!!!
I have exciting news to share with you...I was selected to be a delegate to the International Convention in Prague, Czech Republic in July 2006!!! I am so psyched!
I attended the International Conventional in Budapest in 2003 and that was an experience of a lifetime. You truly have a full sense of the international brotherphood when you see brothers and sisters from many different parts of the world with different languages come together in unified worship. The love and joy continually demonstrated throughout the sessions and at the Convention sites cannot surpassed by anything else. I am looking forward to the International Convention in Prague and I hope to see you there! ; )
I attended the International Conventional in Budapest in 2003 and that was an experience of a lifetime. You truly have a full sense of the international brotherphood when you see brothers and sisters from many different parts of the world with different languages come together in unified worship. The love and joy continually demonstrated throughout the sessions and at the Convention sites cannot surpassed by anything else. I am looking forward to the International Convention in Prague and I hope to see you there! ; )
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
5 Reasons Why Jehovah May Allow Certain Problems
1. Jehovah may allow some problems to help DIRECT you. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivateus to change. Is God trying to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways. Proverb 20:30 - Bruising wounds are what scours away the bad; and strokes, the innermost parts of the belly.
2. Jehovah may allow some problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags, if you want to know what's inside of them, just drop them in hot water. Has your faith ever been tested with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be filled with joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith and this will give you patience. James 1: 2-3 - Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance.
3. Jehovah may allow some problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's like as a child, your parents told you don't touch the hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something whether it's health, money, or a relationship by losing it. It was the best thing that could have happened to you, for it taught you to pay attention to Jehovah laws. Psalm 119:71-72 - It is good for me that I have been afflicted, In order that I may learn your regulations. The law of your mouth is good for me. More so than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
4. Jehovah may allow some problems to PROTECT you. Problems can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Forexample you may be fired for refusing to do something unethical that your boss has asked you to do. Unemployment is a problem - but it may save you from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's action are eventually discovered. Genesis 50:20 - 20 As for YOU, YOU had evil in mind against me. God had it in mind for good for the purpose of acting as at this day to preserve many people alive.
5. Jehovah may allow some problems to PERFECT you. Problems when responded to correctly, are character builders. Jehovah is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with Jehovah and your character are two of the most important things a Christian has. We can rejoice when we run into problems, they help us to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us to trust Jehovah more each time until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Romans 5:3-4- And not only that, but let us exult while in tribulation, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; endurance, in turn, an approvedcondition; the approved condition, in turn, hope.
....I hope you find these words encouraging!
2. Jehovah may allow some problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags, if you want to know what's inside of them, just drop them in hot water. Has your faith ever been tested with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be filled with joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith and this will give you patience. James 1: 2-3 - Consider it all joy, my brothers, when YOU meet with various trials, knowing as YOU do that this tested quality of YOUR faith works out endurance.
3. Jehovah may allow some problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's like as a child, your parents told you don't touch the hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something whether it's health, money, or a relationship by losing it. It was the best thing that could have happened to you, for it taught you to pay attention to Jehovah laws. Psalm 119:71-72 - It is good for me that I have been afflicted, In order that I may learn your regulations. The law of your mouth is good for me. More so than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
4. Jehovah may allow some problems to PROTECT you. Problems can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Forexample you may be fired for refusing to do something unethical that your boss has asked you to do. Unemployment is a problem - but it may save you from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's action are eventually discovered. Genesis 50:20 - 20 As for YOU, YOU had evil in mind against me. God had it in mind for good for the purpose of acting as at this day to preserve many people alive.
5. Jehovah may allow some problems to PERFECT you. Problems when responded to correctly, are character builders. Jehovah is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with Jehovah and your character are two of the most important things a Christian has. We can rejoice when we run into problems, they help us to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us to trust Jehovah more each time until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady. Romans 5:3-4- And not only that, but let us exult while in tribulation, since we know that tribulation produces endurance; endurance, in turn, an approvedcondition; the approved condition, in turn, hope.
....I hope you find these words encouraging!
Monday, December 19, 2005
EURO-ENGLISH!!! (smile)
European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be
the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was
the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English
spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in
plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make
the sivil servants jump with joy.
The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up
konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the
troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like
fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to
reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always
ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is
disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th"
with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou"
and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu
understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze
forst plas.
the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was
the other possibility.
As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English
spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in
plan that would become known as "Euro-English".
In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make
the sivil servants jump with joy.
The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up
konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.
There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the
troublesome "ph" will be replaced with "f". This will make words like
fotograf 20% shorter.
In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to
reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.
Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always
ben a deterent to akurate speling.
Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent "e" in the languag is
disgrasful and it should go away.
By the 4th yer people wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing "th"
with "z" and "w" with "v".
During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary "o" kan be dropd from vords kontaining "ou"
and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a reil sensi bl riten styl.
Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu
understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.
Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze
forst plas.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Driving in Italy!
In my late teens I learned to drive while living in Texas where a car is a necessity. When I moved back to New York shortly after I no longer needed a car. Matter of fact, having a car was highly impractical, expensive, and burdensome. When I needed a car to leave the city I would rent a car. The number of times I rented a car can be counted on one hand!
I tried to learn how to drive manually while living in Texas, but I failed miserably, so I stuck with automatic. I came to Rome thinking I would never get behind a wheel, but I had to drive for my job and to make matters worse, a manual car! To give you an idea of what driving is like here, let me relate a few experiences:
....just another day in the life!
I tried to learn how to drive manually while living in Texas, but I failed miserably, so I stuck with automatic. I came to Rome thinking I would never get behind a wheel, but I had to drive for my job and to make matters worse, a manual car! To give you an idea of what driving is like here, let me relate a few experiences:
- An impatient guy on a motorscooter couldn't wait for the light to change green, so he drove in between two parked cars and up onto the sidewalk! Then he ran the light so he could be in front of everyone else!!!
- Another motorscooter incident: A guy on dirt bike (smaller than a scooter) was trying to get ahead of traffic and misjudged the distance between a passing car and a parked car. He tried to speed past the moving car and the handlebars of his bike shattered the side mirror of the parked car. Glass was flying everywhere and the sideview mirror was left barely hanging on the door---do you think the guy stopped??? Absolutely not! He didn't even slow down!!! He sped by without even a side glance!
- There is a saying here: Green light means: GO! Yellow light means: GO! Red light: its only a suggestion! GO!
- Parking: Its normal to park on the sidewalk here. Why? Because there is not enough parking for all the cars!
....just another day in the life!
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