Christmas in the Székelyföld

Next year I'll buy my Christmas cards.

I had a wonderful Christmas here in Udvarhely. I spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my Counterpart and her family. It's always better with young kids around because then it's acceptable for me to get excited about the angel bringing gifts too. Could be a bit strange with just adults.

But First, twas the last day of school and a celebration was had. The drama group put on a lovely "relevant" performance of the Christmas story. Some of my favorite students were in the play, so I had to take pictures. They were embarrassed I am sure. Afterwards, the teachers were given a lovely stuffed cabbage lunch with mulled wine and cake. A good way to end my first semester of teaching.

Because the students were gone and couldn't laugh at me, I took some pictures of the front of the high school.

Izabella, far right. One of my students.
Not looking too happy here, but she's a lovely girl.

Botond is in the black vest, also one of my students.

I also teach Jesus, or as we call him, Ödön.
The girl with the guitar is also one of my students, Erzsébet. 

Stuffed cabbage and sour cream. Not sarmale.

We started the day by decorating the tree while the boys were out with their grandmother. The tree itself is a gift and brought by the angel, so it doesn't get put up until Christmas Eve. After helping decorate the tree and managing to only break one glass ornament, I scurried home to decorate my tree because the angel doesn't forget the foreigners...

The boys came over to see the tree, and I gave them their American gifts which consisted of two baseball gloves and a foam bat. They don't know how to play, so for now the bat is a weapon and the gloves are worn on the wrong hands, but come Summer they will be pro ball players. I am sure.

That night, we went to the church in the center of town. Children recited poems, stories, and songs, of which I understood almost nothing. However, I can assume what was said, it is Christmas.

Györgyi, Tamás, Györgyi's mother, and Péter.

Then back to the house to wait for the angel to put gifts under the tree! And then cake.

On actual Christmas day I made myself a big breakfast that included bacon (American style bacon not so popular in Romania) and a pumpkin spice latte made possible by a care package from Tim Peng. Then I ate some more food at Györgyi's mother's. She prepared delicious turkey and potatoes for lunch. More gifts were exchanged. I received so much chocolate this Christmas, it's a good thing I love it. Although I must constantly remind myself that it is not an acceptable dinner.

I had a wonderful Christmas.

Te Iubesc

I just have to share one of the sweetest moments of my year. My counterpart/neighbor has two rambunctious boys. Péter (6 years old) and Tamás (4 years old). In the beginning Tamás was outgoing and excited to share what he knows with me. For the first month he would point to anything and say what color it was in English. He knows colors real well. After I was here for about four months, he started to get shy around me. He hadn't been seeing me regularly like is older brother. I had to win his affections again by making weird sounds and crazy faces at him. One night we were coming home from the language school and he shouted from his front door "Te iubesc, Meg!" This literally melted my heart because 1. It means "I love you, Meg" and 2. Because it is Romanian and not Hungarian. He had learned it in Romanian class, and was excited to say it to his mother, and then to me. I was so happy. I still am. His cuteness continues. I regularly get rides from my counterpart every morning since it is so cold. First we take the boys to kindergarten, and then I wait in the car while Györgyi takes the boys into the school. But before Tamás goes through the gate with his mother and brother, he turns around in all his puffy winter clothes and gives me a smile and a wave goodbye. I love that little wave.

Péter, Me, and Tamás.
Despite what his face may suggest, he likes me. I promise.

Here's to knowing you are loved this holiday season and every season.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

- John 1: 14 NIV

Boldog Karácsonyt! Craciun Fericit! Merry Christmas. :)

Gone a pickling!

So, I did not get to witness a pig killing this Christmas season, or as my neighbor pronounces it..."a pickling." Luckily when he told me about this pickling business I knew he was not, in fact, referring to preserving foods such as cucumbers. No, 'twas the seasonal killing of the pigs to provide meat for the year. You might think me lucky for avoiding such an event, but I am determined to document the process with my lens. Next year, it will happen. Until then, at least I can still reap the benefits of the picklings. I thank you, Pig, for your life and for the delicious meals you give me.

Always with káposzta (cabbage)

Done.

Heads and Beards

Two weeks back I was in Sinaia (see pictures above) for an In-Service Training conference. The days were filled with language lessons (during which I managed to escape the embarrassment of exposing my decline in Romanian speaking abilities), sessions, and long nights of socializing. :) During this conference some brave souls donated their beards and heads to raise money for the Gender and Development Committee. With our lei, we voted for the design to be so carefully sculpted into the sides of faces and backs of heads. These men and Andrea wore it well all week long. 

And on the subject of beards...

A very Happy Birthday to my favorite bearded man!

Mervin J Reed a.k.a. Dad

F-O-X

Hey, hey Mr. Fox! Whatcha doin' in the sandbox?

Télapó is coming to town!

TÉLAPÓ IS COMING! Or at least he came. The tradition in my community is a bit different than what we are used to in the States. Télapó (Santa) has is very own special day on December 5th. On this day, children put their boots in the window in hopes that Télapó will leave candies, fruits, nuts, and little toys inside. Fortunately, Télapó cleared some time in his busy schedule for a visit to Rózsa Gyerekház. To prepare for such an honored guest, I went into baking/crafting overdrive. There was SO much to do!

First, bake a MILLION cookies.

Second, make a pumpkin roll. It's tradition.

Third, make some pumpkin bread to give to the Assistant Director/Pumpkin Supplier.

Fourth, build a fireplace. Télapó must be kept warm and cozy.

Now we are ready for the party.

Many people put lots of work into this party to make Télapó feel welcome. Naturally some kids loved meeting Télapó, and others just screamed in fear. Poor guy, just gets that reaction sometimes.

Now to prepare for actual Christmas. Ten WHOOOOPEEEEEEE'S for the semester ending soon!