Nicole & Katie In Albania: Video Update 18

New Years. Albania. 3 words that fit so nicely together.  Based on Albania's history with communism New Years is THE holiday here. This was the one holiday that the country could celebrate together as a family, and as a nation. Though the days of communist rule have passed, the New Year's Eve celebration still goes strong. What a special treat to be here to witness this holiday in person.

The night started with a family dinner saturated with toasts of well wishes in 2012. The meal was topped off by the traditional New Year's dessert- baklava. As midnight approached the T.V's were shut off, and the lights dimmed as everybody made their way up to the roof. We welcomed the new year together, as a country, hootin'-n-hollerin', watching, and blowing off fireworks. The simplicity, yet magnitude of the fireworks show blows any fireworks display I had seen previously out of the water. Caught in the middle of a 360deg firework show was more beautiful and peaceful that I could have ever imagined.

(Thanks to my wonderful housemate Katie Hawkins) you can check out the VIDEO recap below for highlights of our first New Year's Eve in Albania.

Christmas in Albania VIDEO Recap

Below are some videos to recap our first Christmas in Albania. Watch and enjoy.


Video Update 17 - This is a recap video of all the other recap videos below. It shows videos of some of the Christmas programs around the community that Katie and I were a part of.



Video Update 14 - Making Christmas cookies with two very special guests.



Video Update 15- A fun little Christmas game Katie and I created to keep ourselves entertained.



Video Update 16 - How we spent Christmas Eve.



Video Update 16.5 - How we spent Christmas day.

Christmas in Albania PHOTO Recap

It's hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone.  Though this year Christmas was nothing like the traditional North American Christmas I am used to. Knowing that this year would be different Katie and I kept ourselves busy and engaged in different Christmas activities throughout the week(s) to prepare our hearts for Christmas- in hopes that Christmas wouldn't blend in like another day, or week in Albania, and we could enjoy this very special holiday. Our attempts were a success and it ended up being a Christmas for the books.

Check out the pictures below for a recap of our first Christmas in Albania:

Gram sent me a recipe for cut-outs - I could find all the ingredients in Albania!

Katie and I by the New Year's tree in Tirana, Albania

Our house decorated for Christmas.

Mmm. Christmas cookies.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

We had a birthday party for Jesus.

Dance broke out after our Christmas Eve service.

Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner

6:00am Christmas morning

Anisa and I at church - Christmas morning.

Christmas morning service in Durres.

Katie and I - Christmas day being spoiled by Allan and Sheri.

Check back soon for the Christmas in Albania VIDEO Recap update.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 13

What do we when we're without power? make a video. Watch Katie and I shed some light onto the predicament we find ourselves in.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 12

We're back! 

It's been a while since our last video update so we decided to razzle-dazzle your socks off with a special musical performance. Catch up on what we've been up to, hear about our Albanian-American Thanksgiving and learn our new favorite Albanian word.





Don't forget to tune in later this month for our Christmas Edition Update, and then on or shortly after Jan. 1, 2012 for a special New Years Update from Albania... [spoiler alert: fireworks]

Home Is Where The Heart Is

My parents were in Barcelona last weekend, so as an early Christmas present, Katie and I took a few days off and met up with them there.

Spain was wonderful. I won't even mention the fact that I got to see my parents, because that card trumps everything else. I'm not quite sure it was like America, but it was 100 times closer to America than Albania is. Running water with pressure. Parks. Trash and recycling programs. Paved roads. Street lights. Reliable public transportation. A buzz of liveliness flowing throughout the city both during the day and after the sun set. Things to do. Familiar foods to eat. McDonald's. Starbucks. Wi-fi hotspots all over the city. A Christian nation with Christmas music and decorations everywhere you turn. Domestic animals. Rolls of toilet paper that last longer than a day. Variety. Choices. The list could go on and on.

It had all the familiarities I was raised with, mixed in with a new, exciting, adventure. Things to do, and places explore. All of these elements add up to a pretty great time. It was definitely refreshing and a good break.

Vacations are not reality though. That's why they are so much fun.

So the question we keep getting asked is: "was it hard to come back [to Albania]?" The obvious answer would be yes. But it's always hard to come back from vacation. It's a tease going away for a week and how quickly we could adapt to the things we were missing, (you would be disgusted to know how many times we visited McDonald's while we were there.) It was comfortable. We were like little kids on Christmas morning, all day, everyday, as we re-discovered things we left in America only 4 months ago.

Then we came back, and everything was gone again. And we were thrown back into life in Albania.

So this is my response: Albania might not have a lot of things, but it has Jesus. You might not see priests walking down the street, or churches on every corner, but if you look closely you can see that Jesus is in Albania as much as He is in Spain, or America, or any other developed nation for that matter. And because He is here, coming home, to Albania, really wasn't that hard.

Jesus is here and so is my heart, so it really doesn't matter what isn't.

--
 

My first Starbucks since July.

With Mom and Pops.

Katie, I don't think we're in Albania anymore...

...caught red-handed.

Plaza Espanya

At Olympic Park

Barcelona, Spain.

All I Want for Christmas is... NOTHING!

It has come to my attention, from email I've been receiving, that you may be interested in sending me (and Katie) a Christmas gift. Wow, thank you! Once again I'm blown away by the generosity and kind hearts of many. Not to mention how impressed I am that so many are thinking that far in advance. Or perhaps sending Christmas gifts wasn't on your radar, but now after reading the first sentence you feel slightly obligated to send your friend in a developing nation a little something. Let me start off by saying how much I appreciate this thoughtful gesture. It actually means more to me than you'll know - especially since it will be my first Christmas away from home and family. That being said I would like to respectfully decline all Christmas gifts this year. Period.

Although we're serving in a developing nation Katie and I have it pretty good. We currently have everything that we need, plus some, here with us! Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy receiving packages with goodies from America in them. But shipping is outrageous and my heart cringes every time I see the cost, especially because there is so much need in the world. So many people fighting just to live, who deserve your gift more than I do. I would much prefer you saving that money to spend elsewhere, perhaps on something more world changing than an airplane ride for a box. And honestly, you've already been giving me the best gift all year- your prayer support.  

If my argument was not convincing enough, please consider deferring any gift you were still thinking of sending me to an organization such as: Samaritians Purse,  World Vision, or World Hope International.  Or if you would prefer to directly support my work you can support one of the Albanian projects. Really, it's a win, win, win situation for everybody. There is no losing involved!

So nothing is what I want. Because giving me nothing for Christmas will be the best Christmas present ever!

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 10 - HALLOWEEN EDITION

Halloween. The one holiday I thought I wouldn't miss being in the states for. And really, I'm not missing it that much. Costumes. Parties. Decorations. Not really my cup of tea. Carving pumpkins and candy on the other hand, that's what I'm talking about.

Halloween (Hallouini, in Albanian) is not a traditionally celebrated holiday here. In the last few years it has become popular in the big cities but only at bars as a way to make money. It is celebrated similar to ways that would be seen in Hollywood movies. Costumes. Loud music. Partying. (or so I assume/have been told, I haven't actually been to one.) Here, kids don't get dressed up and trick-or-treat throughout the neighborhood and pumpkins are for cooking, not carving. But get this: any and every time we visit an Albanian home we are served candy. It's like Halloween 365 days a year and I don't have to get dressed up in costume. It's definitely one part of the Albanian culture that I've come to enjoy.

Katie and I couldn't resist buying pumpkins the other day when we saw them at the market. We brought a little bit of Halloween to our home in Albania.  Check out our HALLOWEEN EDITION Video Update and pictures below.

Nicole & Katie in Albania: Video Update 9

Perhaps you were wondering what Katie and I do for fun on rainy days. Or maybe not. But we wanted to show you anyway.  So without any further ado, here is our new favorite rainy day activity.

Behind the scenes: Katie directing.

Behind the Scenes: Nicole in front of the camera.

Disclaimer: this video evokes a lot of emotion. Please use the bathroom first.

Working Hard

Monday morning Katie, Danika, and I worked hard for our breakfast. Katie and Danika demonstrate what it’s like to crack walnuts the Albanian way. With. Your.  Bare. Hands. Prior to eating walnuts in Albania I thought I had a decent amount of strength. I was proven wrong when I discovered it took me 5 minutes to muster up enough strength to crack a walnut with 2 hands and all my might. Real Albanians make cracking them with one hand look like a piece of cake. Us on the other hand… Let's just say it's a good thing Katie and I have 2 years to practice. 

My Neighborhood

Perhaps you are curious to know where I live. Well, I mean, I know you know that I live in Albania. And if you've been following my blog from the beginning you've also been on a tour of my house. BUT until this point you have not seen too many pictures of the neighborhood/community where I live.

Early one morning last week, Katie (my missionary partner) went out on a photography adventure and captured some pictures of the Kenet. She has generously given me permission to post a link to her blog here so you can see some of the pictures (with captions) that she took. Hope this gives you a better visual as to where we are living. Enjoy!

Click here for the neighborhood tour