Klaipeda in a Timelapse

Hello Everyone! Labas visiems!

My work at LCC is taking up huge amounts of time and energy and I've had little time to sit down and write the blog-posts you deserve. Please know that even though I am slow in writing that I am grateful every day for you and your prayers.

I'm sitting at my work computer now and writing this spur of the moment blog post because I came across a really excellent video that should help you all to visualize more clearly where I am living. It shows Klaipeda through time-lapse videography. It does a fantastic job of showing you Klaipeda's beautiful Old Town (founded in 1252), some of its New Town and its harbor on the Baltic Sea. It also gives a good overall feel of the city.

The video does have a few shortcomings, however. Namely, it doesn't show you Klaipeda in any season except for summer. Trust me, the blue skies you see in the video are not here all year. Since the beginning of September, Klaipeda has taken on a distinctly gray color and it will only get more cloudy, wet and cold as October continues on. And then the snow will come!

The film also does not show you certain sections of the city. In particular, it makes it seem like Soviet architects never got this far west. That is decidedly not the case. There are huge sections of the city dominated by Soviet apartment buildings. It also doesn't show neat areas of the city designed in post-Soviet times. One of my favorite things to do is take an evening walk through the neighborhood right beside LCC. This neighborhood is full of houses designed and built by regular Lithuanian families after 1990. The creativity is astonishing and intriguing to me.

Overall, though, this video is excellent so enjoy your glimpse into Klaipeda, Lithuania's third largest city!

Walking Again

A few weeks ago my dad sent me a very poetic, subtle email that said:

"The trees that used to be walking around appear to be sitting on their rears and taking a nap."

He was absolutely right. This blog stopped walking a while ago as I've made the transition to Lithuanian life and life at a bustling university.

I'm rectifying the situation right now. Thanks to those of you who have stayed with me and prayed for me despite regular updates here. Enjoy the below pictures as I pen the first in a series of additional blog posts.

These photos illustrate some of what I have been up to and give a glimpse of what Lithuania is like. My hope, as always, is that my words would keep you involved in my life, guide you in your prayers for me and also give you a chance to learn about and from the people in Lithuania and LCC.

Photos from the journey so far:

My journey towards overseas ministry started years ago and my parents have always been supportive. There were teary goodbyes in the airport as I finally set off to serve and live in Lithuania. 

My immediate transition to Lithuania was greatly helped by my friend Ieva. She welcomed me to stay at her family's home for several weeks before my work started and was always attentive to how to help me settle in, get over jet-lag and enjoy Lithuania's long summer days while they still lasted.

I owe a big thanks to Nida, Ieva's mom, for her hospitality and all the delicious meals she prepared and shared with me. This picture shows my first taste of rabbit! Quite delicious, I must say.

Another fantastic meal prepared by Nida. The pink soup is very very popular in Lithuania and is delicious beyond belief. It is called šaltibarščiai and is a cold, summer soup made from beets, kefir, sour cream, chives and cucumbers. You should eat it with hot potatoes.

When I arrived to Lithuania, Klaipeda was having its annual Sea Festival. Street musicians and crowds filled the usually quieter streets with sound and life. These talented gentlemen were especially good at Coldplay and U2 covers.

I reunited with a number of friends at the Sea Festival. This picture shows me with Aurelija, who I met while studying abroad here Jan-May 2011. In addition to being a good friend, Aurelija is a creative and talented artist. I recommend enjoying some of her creations here: http://aure-lija.blogspot.com/

Basketball is popular in Lithuania = understatement of the century!

The Baltic Sea in summertime is truly wonderful. I thank God that the city I work in is on its coasts! I could spend hours sitting on its beaches, swimming in its calm waters, and watching usually reserved Lithuanians delighting in these same things. Unfortunately, the weather has been changing steadily away from the blue skies pictured here toward a determined overcast and rainy autumn. My days at the beach are numbered.

The Baltic Sea is not just for fun, however, it is a major source of industry. The cranes pictured here are a iconic part of Klaipeda's skyline and highlight the city as a major port. Massive cruise ships also pass through often.

And now for the first pictures of LCC International University- my workplace and home. I am living comfortably in a two room apartment on the top floor of Neumann Hall (left). My rooms would usually house 4-5 university students but LCC has set several of them aside for staff and faculty. I share a kitchen and lounge with the other LCC employees on my floor. The facilities are quite nice - they are among the best residence halls in Lithuania.

This view from my 6th floor window shows the main university buildings. Can you believe that students come from over 25 different countries to get an education here? In the background, this picture also shows a common feature of Lithuania's 20th/21st century landscape- the massive Soviet apartment block.  The Soviet influence is pretty unmistakable in these buildings. What you can't see from a mere picture, though, is how every apartment inside is unique and usually full of warmth, color and style.

My job title at LCC is "Intercultural Education Coordinator." One of the joys of my job is that I get to help create events around campus that give students a chance to express their cultural heritage, learn from each other and have a good time. This photo is from the Intercultural Olympics and shows three of the teams - Russia, Ukraine and Lithuania. Moldova, the United States and a mixed international team also participated.

Even better than being a part cool events like the Intercultural Olympics is working closely with student leaders to make events like that happen. I am very proud of how the work and creativity of the Intercultural Team (pictured above) made the Olympics a success. My team is made up of members from Ukraine, Latvia and Moldova.

Stay tuned for more posts. The trees at this web address are mobile and walking once again!

Lietuva

Hello! Labas! 

It is great to be back in the blogging world. Although, in truth, the only reason I am happy to be back in this cyberspace is because in the morning I am returning to another, greater place -- Lithuania!

Those of you who used to follow this blog know that I previously spent four months in Lithuania as a student at an international university. Now, two years and three months later, I'm pleased to share that I am returning to Lithuania to work at the university where I previously studied. 

I had planned to make this first new entry a quick summary of what I've been up to and what I'll be doing in Lithuania but I decided against it. (Ok, I ran out of time.) I am postponing that post and instead will start the new series off on a more fun "note." 

Below, you will find my rendition of a song called "Lietuva" - meaning "Lithuania." This little song is upbeat, patriotic and also shares a bit about the country for those of us not from there. You can click the link for the Lithuanian lyrics or follow along with the English translation provided. Enjoy!

Oh and the instrument is an Octave Mandolin. I promise I don't intentionally try to be quirky.

"Lietuva" by Wika

Lithuania...is the land of basketball.
There is a huge castle in Trakai.
Palanga's seashores are spangled by amber.
I like to walk there in the evening.
There are a lot of hot guys in Vilnius.
But I like Kaunas most of all cities.
Nobody will ever change my Lithuania, nobody ever.

Lithuania. Our Lithuania!
I will never move abroad.
England and Spain won't attract me.
And I will never gather oranges there.

There are a lot of brooks, rivers and lakes.
A blue sky, it's a pleasant place for me.
Whether it is raining or sun is shining.
It's my dear beloved Lithuania.
We never won Eurovision, but that doesn't matter.
We can sing in spite of that.
And this is the real truth.

Lithuania. Our Lithuania!
I will never move abroad.
England and Spain won't attract me.
And I will never gather oranges there.

http://dainutekstai.lt/r2086/wika-lietuva.html

Ready for Round Two?

This blog-page will be resurrected soon... Look for new posts in the coming weeks and months.