Mondays Can be More.

We've all heard of it. And felt it. 

"Monday blues."

When did it become normal to expect this day of the week to be dark and crabby and horrid? Why do we feel as though going back to work and school should be the pits?

Let's give "Monday blues" the boot! Mondays can be more. 

They can be an exciting start to a fresh week. Whether you are back to your desk, or class, or taking care of your home, this is a day that the LORD has made. Let's be glad in it!

Love this encouraging verse? Send notecards with this image at this link.

Need some ideas to push the rain clouds away? I've got a few below. Use hashtag #mondayscanbemore when you do one of these uplifting things, or if you think of something else. Share how your Monday is more with us!


#1 - Try out a new gym class.

I joined a gym near my home recently, because the weather is too cold and rainy to run outside very comfortably. Gym classes are fun because you just show up and follow along! Plus, on a cold winter day, they really get your blood pumping and will make you feel warmer for the rest of your Monday. 

#2 - Send a faraway friend a card to say "hi."

Sometimes it is really easy to forget to stay in contact with friends. And, let's be honest, everyone likes snail mail. So, choose today to be intentional. Send a cute card, or write a letter about how much you appreciate their friendship. Let them know how you've been, and show that you wish to stay in-touch. Don't know their address? Facebook, DM, or text them and ask! I do this all the time, no one ever thinks it's weird, they are just excited at the prospect of a handwritten note showing up in their mailbox. 

Don't have a faraway friend? Sign up to send a postcard to someone around the world at postcrossing.com. An added benefit is that for each card you send, you will receive one back! Yay for mail!
(Want to get a postcard from me? Check out this post and follow the instructions). 

#3 - Check out a new book from your local library.

Sometimes, it can become draining to just watch TV or scroll Instagram before bed. A good book can make your evening more relaxing, while expanding your mind and imagination. Pick up a new book, put it by your bed, and choose to read it a bit each night and finish it by the end of this month. If you aren't sure where to start, ask the first librarian you see. That's what they are there for. 
Share your favorite reads with #mondayscanbemore to give us ideas!

My favorites (click images to take a peek on Amazon). 


#4 - Take 30 minutes to soak up nature.

Walk outside or to a local park, and sit down with a piece of paper and a pen. Give yourself some minutes in silence. Then, completely fill the paper with observations of the sounds, smells, and feeling of the world around you. Every tiny detail. Use all the descriptive words you can think of to capture the moment. Many times, we forget to actually experience the world around us. Let this Monday be the day you start off the week seeing God's Creation with open eyes. 

#5 - Choose a day this week to meet a friend for coffee. 

Often, we wait for our friends to keep our relationships afloat. Be the one to be intentional today. Text and schedule a coffee date. Put it on your calendar, and look forward to that quality time together. 
Meeting at Starbucks? Check out how to drink vegan there. 

#6 - Memorize a verse of encouragement. 

This past week I read Psalm 34 with a friend. It is chock-full of verses confirming that GOD is there for us in all our times of need as well as times of plenty. Finding a verse to use as you praise GOD and give HIM glory this week will not only bring you closer to HIM, but will also give you HIS eyes on the situations and challenges you face this week. 

Use #mondayscanbemore to encourage your friends and family to turn around the bad rap of Mondays and instead let them be more. Share in the comments below, or on Instagram (@faithful_nomad) what you are choosing today.

"How we spend our days is how we spend our lives."

Free Learning. Say What?

Have you ever stopped and thought, "Man, I wish I was back at school." 

Or maybe you haven't gone that extreme yet (and you are thinking that I'm crazy). But you probably have thought at some point of time, "I wish I could learn more about (this) or (that)."

I loved the environment of learning at school and being able to spend so much time filling my brain with knowledge. That's something I do miss (although I usually just have to recall back memories of finals weeks of the past, and that longing disintegrates into piles of gold and white confetti).

However, I've found a way that I can keep learning in my life, and it doesn't even involve the finals week madness! I can learn more about energy and sustainability (some of my favorite topics), or I can practice a new language. And for free.

Free is a beautiful word.

Here are two sites that I use for learning that are extremely value-filled, but don't cost me a penny.

#1 - Coursera

Coursera is a site where MOOCs (Mass Open Online Courses) are offered from top universities around the globe. You can take the course for free, and if you would like to get a verified certificate to show a future employer, it is $50. I have currently finished two courses: Fundamentals of Global Energy Business from the University of Colorado, and Energy 101: The Big Picture from Georgia Tech, and both of them have taught me so much about energy technology and economy. It felt so great to get university-level content about a topic that I'm passionate about, and I could even do my work in my pajamas at home. In one course, I had to write and pass both quizzes and two papers, and in the other there were simply quizzes after each lecture. Coursera is very valuable to me because it helps me grow without any financial commitment. I'm simply learning.

#2 - Mango Languages

When browsing my public library website last year, I found that they have a free language learning program that offers great online instruction in just about any language you could want to learn. For my public library, it is Mango Languages, and I've heard that other counties offer it and other programs as well. I took some of the first lessons of French before a trip to France and found that it gave me a new-found confidence in my baby-language-speak before traveling to this new place. I'm looking forward to using it to advance my language learning, as traveling abroad has shown me just how valuable this is. Language learning is one thing that I don't believe can ever be a waste of time. Try it out and see your world open up!

Do you have other sites that you use to continue learning? Have you taken a course on Coursera, or learned a language through Mango? Comment and let us know!

Read any good books recently? Here are a few that I have been learning from (click on them to view on Amazon).





*All Amazon links allow you to buy items at no extra charge, but using those links does help fund my adventures just a bit through commission.

2017. You Will Be Hopeful.

Hope.

John 16:33 ~ "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I (Jesus) have overcome the world."

2017 started out with both joy and grief. 

Grief. As the new year dawned in Istanbul and I got dressed for a New Year's party in the States, I got news of the shooting in Turkey that took 39 lives. 

Joy. That evening, I celebrated the turning of 2016 to 2017 with my family and close friends. We danced. We ate. We were joyful.

At New Year's, I love the freshness of starting over and looking forward to doing things that are new. Of re-focusing on what is really important to me, and setting my sights on God as the focal point of my life.

I started last year with choosing a word for my year. Last year, my word was joy. 

This year, I am focusing on hope. 

In this world where we are faced with both times of intense grief and times of extreme joy, it is important to remember where our hope lies. It doesn't lie in our money or material possessions. It doesn't lie in our security. It lies in Christ. 

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; HIS mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is YOUR faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:21-23 (ESV)

I want to focus on spreading this hope in 2017. Hope of love from GOD. Hope for a future with HIM. 

As I organize and record my life this year, I am using some tools to help me. In the past, I have shared about how much I love K&CompanySmash Folio for recording my adventures, both big and everyday. This year, I am adding a new tool: a Passion Planner .  I am very excited to use my planner to be intentional about living out my focus points/goals, and my Smashbook to record all the amazing things GOD writes into my story. 

What are you focusing on this year?

"Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do." - Steve Jobs

Not that I'm advocating that Steve Jobs is a role model or anything. But I sure do agree with this statement. A lot of times, we forget that our daily choices do matter. Either to one person, to many, or to the whole world.

I know that during this holiday season, you have been bombarded with organizations wanting you to make year-end donations. People who want you to take part in this "season of giving."

But it's not a season. A lot of us are in the situation where we have all that we need, all the time. And it reminds me how the Christians of the early church shared with each other, making sure that no one was in want.

Blessings are given to us so that we can share them.

As you watch the news and see the disasters happening around the world, there are groups of people who have decided that they do want to change the world. And, we can join them. Crazy, huh?

Here are a few. They are great. They are changing the world. And they want us to join them. I'm in, are you?



Refuge Coffee in Clarkston, GA -> Welcoming a diverse community and employing refugees with training and a living wage.

Liberty in North Korea -> Rescuing those who have escaped over the North Korean border and re-settling them into lives of freedom.

*Update on January 4th, 2017 - Liberty in North Korea reached their year-end goal of $100,000 and received a matching gift! That is 66 more refugee rescues funded! Thanks for your continued support and please continue to give in 2017 to help give more people freedom.

As Our Own -> Giving a family to young girls at risk in India.

Even a small donation means that you are choosing to make an impact. We can do it.

Let's be crazy enough to think that we can change the world. And we will. 

When You Give a Nomad 3 Days in Copenhagen...

she spends every minute having fun, Scandinavian-style!

My photo that turned out like a postcard pic.

A few weeks ago, I had my first trip to Denmark, and it was definitely a different feel from other European cities I have visited. I was blessed to travel with some awesome friends, and we made many life-long memories.

There were several aspects of our trip that made it a delight, and I would definitely recommend each of these to anyone traveling to Copenhagen.

#1 - Stay at Urban House or a hostel. 
Because there were 3 of us traveling together, it wasn't quite cost-effective for us to get an Airbnb apartment this time around. So, we looked at hostels and settled on Urban House.

Pros: Close to the train station and tons of other sights, like the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and the National Museum. Has a communal kitchen and dining room, which really cut costs on this trip as we were able to prepare breakfast at the hostel each morning and made dinner several times in the kitchen. Staying at a hostel also helps with finding out about local tours and for meeting other travelers.

Cons: Urban House is right at the Red Light District, so there is a very active night life. Each night it was extremely noisy outside of our window, so a light sleeper may find this a big problem. For only a few nights in the city, it was okay for us, but was a bit annoying.

#2 - Take a free walking tour.
We took the SANDEMANs Free Walking Tour, and our guide was Martin, a local Dane. This tour was 3 hours and loooots of walking, but it was well worth it. Afterwards, we had a much greater understanding and appreciation of Danish history and the many aspects of the city. I feel like I really saw Copenhagen because of this tour.

The house of the Crown Prince and his family. Seen on the SANDEMANs free walking tour.

#3 - Visit the National Museum.
I can now say that I have hidden behind a Rune stone, seen the skeleton of a now-extinct huge cow/moose, and learned that Vikings didn't have horns on their helmets - all because of our visit to the National Museum. There was a free highlights tour that we took, and it was extremely educational and the guide told many great stories.

Me and a Rune Stone! 

#4 - Get out of the city and see Kronborg Castle!
This was definitely the highlight of the trip for me. I am a huge Shakespeare fan, and this castle is the setting for Shakespeare's Hamlet. It did not disappoint, with amazing views of the sea and Sweden, beautiful ramparts, a MOAT, and a cute little village near it to boot. We took the free tour of the underground section of the castle, and it was cool to see the statue of Holger Danske that sits sleeping beneath the fortress. Such a great sight. 
Tip: If you are traveling by train from Copenhagen, go ahead and get a 24-hour unlimited ticket for all zones - it is cheaper than buying individual tickets there and back, and we planned our trip so that we could use the unlimited ticket again the next morning to go to the airport. 

Breath-taking view from atop Kronborg Castle!

My first trip to Scandinavia was quite the adventure, and I look forward to wherever I travel next in that beautiful region.

After my trip, it was exciting to get to scratch another country off the map, albeit a very tiny one :)

You open your mailbox...

...and *bam*, you spot something handwritten, something that's not a junk ad from the local fast food joint, or a bill reminding you of how much you spent on gas this month. It's a postcard! Snail mail is one of my favorite ways to stay in touch with friends, and let's just admit it, we all love to get personal notes in the mail. Like, we little-kid-hearing-icecream-truck love it.



So, I want to make your day by sending a postcard your way! I got this idea from The Bro'd Trip, who send postcards to each of their followers (cool guys, right?).  My postcards might be from any city I'm staying in or traveling through, and it is sure to be handwritten and full of some happy encouragement and sunshine. You in?

Here's how:

1. Follow my blog by email right over there on the right side ->
2. Send me a message through the "Contact me!" form with your address in the message section.
3. Check your mailbox each day! It may take a while, but you will get your snail mail, promise :)

No limits on where you live in the world - I will gladly send to any country! Plus, by following my blog by email, you will get more happy articles delivered into your inbox too, making your Faithful Nomad reading even easier.

The Day I Became a Street Musician

It's called "busking." Did you know that? I didn't. That day, I wasn't sure what to call what I was about to go do.

I stood in my room before a mirror, my hat and sunglasses on, sun lotion applied, and my violin case strapped to my back.

I was nervous.

I tried talking myself out of it a thousand times. But what if nobody wants to hear your music? What if you actually get on their nerves? What if you aren't any good? 

But then, my heart would fight back. You've wanted to do this for so long. Why not do it? Everyone will just walk by, if they don't like the song they will just keep walking! It's not like you are making them listen. Besides, people probably won't even remember you. It will be a moment that means way more to you than to anyone else. 

For the past year or so, I had had this crazy dream to stand on a sidewalk and be a street musician, my case propped open and everything. I have played violin since I was 5 years old, and currently I have a violin with me abroad that a friend gave me when she moved. It comes out every once in a while, just for me to play in my room and warm up on a few songs. But lately, the old nudge to get out and play had been creeping back into my mind. It's sad to just sit in my room and play for myself; why wasn't I sharing my music with others? What if I did something more with it?

I've enjoyed my own share of street music. One fond memory I have is from Charleston a few years back with my family. We sat in an open-air restaurant, eating our seafood, and across the street stood a young college guy playing his saxophone. It was the most beautiful thing ever, and it made our meal so much more relaxing and enjoyable as we sat back and listened to him play. After enjoying so much of his music, we walked over after our meal to drop a few bucks in his case. Come to find out, he was a music student who decided that if he needed to spend a few hours practicing each day, he might as well make some money while doing it. The fact was, we got the better end of the deal. When he shared his music with us that day, it was a beautiful gift that I will never forget. 

I almost didn't walk out of my apartment door that day with my violin on my back. My fears almost got the better of me. As I shuffled out of my apartment, I told myself, You know what, you look kind of cool and hipster with the violin on your back. If you don't end up playing, at least you will look chic while walking along the boardwalk. 

I walked to the local sahil and all of a sudden was overcome by the crowds. It was a Sunday afternoon. In April. The sun was shining, and literally every person who had a soul inside of them was out on that boardwalk. My fears started welling up, and I couldn't understand why I was so scared.

So I walked.

And walked.

There were so many people and so many boats, and so many people on the boats, and so many fishermen....I felt like I was trying to get myself to skydive I was so frightened. But I wanted to play so badly. My fingers itched. So I kept walking. Eventually, I walked past the most crowded areas and parks and found a place where there weren't any boats docked, and it was just plain boardwalk.

So I sat down. I stared at the water. I told myself that it would be a good start to slowly unpack my violin. I did, while getting a few strange looks.

And I started playing. I was wearing my hat and sunglasses, which made it easier for me to not even look at the people walking by, but to just focus on my playing. And I got more brave...and more loud...and the music became more beautiful. More full of soul.

My first lira came from a little girl. She was about 5 years old. She walked up to me mid-song, holding out her coin in her hand. I stopped, took it, thanked her, sat it in my lap, and kept on playing. After that first coin, they somehow just kept falling. One lady even put a 10 lira bill in my case.

But money can't compare to how I felt.

I had conquered a fear. I had fulfilled a dream. 

The lies in my head that said people wouldn't like my music, they were so wrong. I had a lady clap. Some people video-taped me. One person stopped and sat nearby, chatting with me later after I finished. My music not only brought sunshine to my heart; it brought sunshine to theirs as well.

Don't let you fears tell you that you can't do something. Don't let anything stop you from fulfilling a dream.

All those roadblocks that you see are only ant hills in reality; step on over them and live. 

A Weekend in Cologne

A few weeks ago, I packed my backpack and jumped on a plane to Cologne, Germany, to visit a few of my friends who have recently moved there.

This was my first trip to Germany, and it was so much fun! Here are a few of my favorite things that we did over the 4-day weekend. Each item is linked to the website for that activity/place.

Have you been to Cologne? Did you also enjoy these things, or did you try other activities/museums? Comment below and let me know :)

#1 - Free Walking Tour in Cologne

Instead of just wandering around on our own in the city, my friends and I joined a "Can You Handle It?" free walking tour, which took us on a 2 hour walk around Cologne. This was one of our best decisions! Our guide showed up exactly on time and led our group on a beautiful walk past churches, Roman ruins, World War II memorials, the famous cathedral, breweries, and more. On free walking tours, you are asked to give a tip to your guide (around $5/5 euro equivalent per person is a good minimum to tip). It was definitely worth it!

One of my favorite parts: Our guide showed us an old building which was covered in statues and engravings of important men. Evidently, the guy heading up the construction wasn't very nice to the workers. They got back at him in an eternal way; if you look above the statue of him, standing nice and pompous, you will see a man pulling down his pants and mooning the viewer. Lesson: Be nice to people immortalizing you in sculpture.  

#2 - The Chocolate Museum

A chocolate model of the cathedral

As I researched what to do in Cologne, the Chocolate Museum popped up and I was so excited! I love chocolate, and I also love learning how things are made and how they work (the scientist in me was overjoyed). This museum, situated right on the Rhine river, is ultra-interactive and walks you through the whole process of chocolate-making, from how the beans are harvested to a mini-factory that was making chocolate bars as we watched. I learned a lot about the ethical issues surrounding chocolate and how different companies are working to create free-trade chocolate. I got to see a large dug-out boat that was used for transporting cacao beans from the small farmers to the processors, as well as watch a video of natives creating one of these boats. We all stopped in our tracks as we watched chocolate being stirred in a machine in the factory - it was so mesmerizing! This museum is the perfect mix of history and science. We even got to taste some chocolate while we were there, and the attached chocolate store has a huge variety to choose from for taking home and enjoying (or eating out on the deck while watching the river boats slip by, as I did). My tastebuds will always remember this trip!

#3 - Observation Deck

One evening, just as the sun was about to start setting, we got in line to go up to the Observation Deck across the river from the Cathedral. For only 2.50 euro (because we talked to the people in line behind us and formed a group *wink wink* for the discount), we went up an elevator about 28 stories and came out on a huge deck. My favorite pictures from my trip to Cologne came from this view! We were laughing our heads off as we crammed in against the glass and took selfie upon selfie with the Cathedral in the background. As the sun set, it was a glorious view.

#4 - Die Wohngemeinschaft Hostel

This was my first time staying in a hostel, and it was one of the best experiences ever! I stayed in the "ballet" room, a 6 girl dorm room, complete with a full-wall mirror, ballet barre, pointe shoes, and light pink walls and curtains. My roommates were amazing, and we were fast friends by the end of the trip. We loved having breakfast together in the hostel living room (the hostel offers a 5 euro breakfast buffet), and we hung out in that same living room until the wee hours of the morning one night, swapping tales of travel and adventure over free coffee/tea that is available 24/7. What an amazing place! None of us wanted to leave - this hostel is almost better than "home away from home."

#5 - Melaten-Friedhof Cemetery

Cemeteries are fascinating places, giving you a glimpse into history. This cemetery was gorgeous, with monuments and wooded walks that reminded me of a certain scene in The Phantom of the Opera. We spent at least an hour walking down countless paths, peering at tombstones and reading about the families that have lived in Cologne over the years. This is right by the park (#6) as well as just a short walk from the hostel (#4).

#6 - Aachener Weiher Park

I love being outside, and I literally walked up to a tree and hugged it in this park because I was so happy! The park is huge, stretching over 3 different blocks, and includes a large pond with ducks, hills and wooded paths, workout equipment as well as balancing exercises (one of which I fell off of and have lovely bruises as a souvenir lol), and lots of trees and flowers. Many people were running, and I wished that I had packed my running clothes on this trip. If you are staying in the hostel, this is so close that you could fit in morning jogs very easily. Would be a lovely place for picnics as well.

#7 - Habibi Cafe

Habibi means something like "sweetie" in Arabic. My friends treated me my first night in Cologne to this wonderful Middle Eastern restaurant. The falafels were amazing and I loved sipping on the free ginger tea! It was completely packed with both Germans and foreigners, which is a very good sign that its a tasty place. This restaurant doesn't just have great food - it also has a great atmosphere. The walls and ceiling are covered in fun, colorful pictures, and laughter fills the air constantly.

#8 - Museum Ludwig

I am an absolutely huge fan of Surrealism - ever since my Art Appreciation teacher taught us about Dali, I have been fascinated with looking at his and Joan Miro's pictures and really seeing the depth and meaning to these works of art. While in Cologne, I looked up museums and saw that the Museum Ludwig was close to the center of things and housed a wide range of modern art. I loved walking through its galleries, looking at Picassos, a huge Dali (pictured above), and a gorgeous Jackson Pollock that made my heart sing. This museum also has a beautiful gallery from which you can do some fun people-watching.


Over the course of 4 days, I was able to spend quality time with my friends while really enjoying this German city. These places and activities really made my trip quite an adventure. So if you make it to Cologne, these 8 things are musts for having a wonderful time. Know of any more? Comment below!

What's Up, Culture? Why Differences DO Matter in Life

"Wow, you really like our traditional desserts." My native friend watched as I ate a piece of baklava before our meeting began. 

"Yep, they are really good." I licked my lips, savoring each bite of yummy syrup and flaky dough.

"I can tell." And he motioned towards my stomach and chuckled.

I felt gut-punched.

What? For clarification, I am not fat. Not a bit. We laughed and walked off to join the meeting, but this comment sat heavily in my stomach a lot longer than the baklava did. I was so offended. 

Why had he been so rude to me? 

Or, had he actually been rude at all? 

Was I being too sensitive?

You live around people from different cultural backgrounds. If you are like me, you may even live completely inside of a culture other than your own (welcome, expat readers!). We hear a lot about cultural differences through the media, but many times we think that they are over-stated and don't really make a huge impact on our day-to-day relations.

Well, that's wrong.

They make a HUGE difference in both relationships, jobs, and every-day interactions.

Take my example. This isn't the first time that someone in this Central Asian/European culture had mentioned my weight. Sometimes, if I see someone after a long absence, the very first comment they make to me is based on a, sometimes imagined, change in weight. Either good or bad. "Wow, you've lost weight" or "You've gotten fatter." Now, when I first started living abroad, this really caught me off-guard. In American culture, weight is very taboo. If a guy tells his girlfriend that she is looking a bit chubbier, he can pretty much write off the whole relationship. We are quite sensitive when it comes to body image. However, that isn't the case in a lot of Central Asian cultures. People talk about weight and a host of other body topics quite freely, without the risk of offending each other. It's considered normal.

There are a heap of other situations where I have realized that culture makes a difference. In Western culture, we are very particular about our space and privacy. We don't like to "intrude" on others or be intruded on. Case in point: If I am going to have a friend sleep-over, we will plan this at least a week in advance. Friends don't normally ask to sleep over because they don't want to impose on hospitality; they will wait until invited. My guest will bring her stuff with her, and I will have made sure that her staying-over fits in with my other plans. HOWEVER, Central Asian culture is completely different! If I go to a friend's house for dinner, she will most likely insist that I spend the night. She will give me a pair of her pajamas to wear, and I'll just wear my other clothes again in the morning. I will most likely sleep on a fold-out couch, which is a must-have in every home here because guests are so frequent. In other situations, if I'm visiting a city in which I have a friend, it is a given that I will stay with her or her family. In this culture, it is completely accepted that I can ask to stay at others' houses without being accused of imposing on them. "Mi casa, tu casa" is a real thing, and it isn't spoken with a hint of bitterness; generosity is currency.

Phone conversations. Wow, can they be different. If I'm talking with a friend in America, I might ask her what she has been up to, because this leaves room for her to choose how much she shares; but I won't call her and say "What are you doing?" - this would seem really intrusive. When people call their friends and family here, they will literally ask "What are you doing?" In addition, they might have called them to ASK JUST THAT. For me, when people first started asking what I was doing, my knee-jerk reaction was to answer, "Why do you need to know?" or "What's it to you?". I felt that they were intruding on my privacy. This was a cultural clash, and one that I had to become aware of and adjust myself to.

So, what do we do in the face of these cultural clashes? We live in a multi-cultural world, and it is imperative that we are able to deal with these situations with consideration to ourselves and our friends.

#1 - We must realize that our culture is not necessarily right and their culture is not necessarily wrong; they are both just different.

#2 - Think about the situation or the exchange of words from their perspective. If you felt offended, do you think that they meant to offend you from their cultural perspective? Analyze how you should take the action or comment from their culture's lenses.

#3 - Take a deep breath and move on. Culture can be a great thing, but it can bring about misunderstandings. We don't want to let these situations cause rifts in our friendships; it's not worth it.

In the case of my "baklava" situation, I realized that from the cultural perspective, the comment made to me was in jest and wasn't meant to offend me at all. Although I personally felt offended, I knew that holding that bitterness would only spoil the friendship. In some cases, I would have felt it appropriate to let the person know that I was offended because of the cultural difference, but I didn't mention it in this situation. I took a deep breath and let it roll off my back.

Just because my culture says one thing doesn't mean that it's essentially right and other cultures are wrong. They are just different, and learning to live with these differences and taking them into consideration is important for building lasting relationships and having good communication.

Have you experienced a "clash" of cultures? How have you dealt with it? Did it help you perceive your friend's culture in a new light? Comment below! I really would love to hear about your experiences as we get better at living in this exciting, multi-cultural world.

Oh, what 1 year can hold...

Today marks one year since I flew to Istanbul on a one-way ticket, knowing that I was going to learn Turkish and not knowing much past that. The first time I was here, I stayed for 4 months as an exchange student. This past time, it was with more long-term in mind. It has been an amazing year, with lots of blessings and unexpected surprises. Here's the run down of what this year has had lots of. 

>>>----------> Lots of visits with friends.

I started off the year celebrating my best friend's wedding both in a small village and then in the big city. I literally danced my feet off at both of these big events (in my mind, looking just like a Turk, but I know they were all just being kind). Months later, during the summer, I was invited to celebrate one of the holidays with a great Turkish friend and her family in Konya. And then, a trip to see my sweet friend Emily (of Emiloid on YouTube) became my first mini-roadtrip with my sister. We loved spending time with Emily and discovering her new city! Here's to hoping and praying that the coming year involves even more visits to see and spend time with my besties :)

>>>----------> Lots of learning.

My road to being bilingual has many more footsteps on it than a year ago. It has involved hours and hours of classes, watching foreign films, and getting up the courage to talk to strangers in a strange language. It's funny to even see that you have a different sense of humor when you speak in a second language. Learning another language definitely gives you a new insight into the culture and life of another people group, and even into yourself.


>>>----------> Lots of coffee. 

If you haven't figured it out, coffee is my comfort food. And maybe my love language. I love sitting down with a warm mug, whether it is with a friend or my journal or a great new read. My parents brought me my very own filter coffee machine (yes, that is a special thing here), and I love cuddling up with a warm mug on the weekends. To be quite honest, I had 3 pumpkin spice lattes...in the first 4 days of October. Yep. #pslatte #whyamihashtaggingmyblog #becauseitsthepslatte


>>>----------> Lots of friends from every nation.

I am blessed to call people my friends who have intersected my life here in Turkey but who began their journeys in many different places. Some came here to seek a new experience. Others were forced to flee their war-torn homes to seek freedom and opportunity. I'm so thankful for our friendships and also for how they help me understand reality better.

>>>----------> Lots of tears.

It would be wrong to act as though life is a walk in the park. It's not. Being on the other side of the world from my family is especially rough. To be honest, every time I say goodbye to them, I go through weeks of withdrawal: depressed spirit, lack of motivation, even loss of appetite. I would have a hard time going on if it wasn't for...


>>>----------> Lots of knowledge that I'm where God wants me to                          be.

Life may be far from perfect, but that is expected - it's not heaven yet. But this life with God is certainly good. And HE promises so much to those who chase after Him. It is worth it. It is all worth it. HE proves it to me day after day.

"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 

God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 

Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.

You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

Matthew 5:3-16 

(New Living Translation)

Thank YOU, GOD, for a great year. Here's to many more.

~ Faithful Nomad

When I Laugh on the Bus...

it's probably because I am listening to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! Like, sometimes I have literally had to start listening to something else because I was starting down a road of uncontrollable, that-girl-is-nuts, tears-streaming-down-my-face kind of laughter. All because of a podcast.

Most of us spend some part of our days on a commute. You may spend yours in a car. I spend mine on a bus, metro, school shuttle and walking. But no matter how you get somewhere, there is always that little voice in the back of your head saying that you are wasting part of your day. But what if you weren't? What if you could reclaim that time? What if you could transform your commute into a time of learning, laughter, and growth? That's where this little tool comes into play. The podcast. Something that sounds so archaic can actually be the light at the end of the tunnel. Your underpass tunnel, so to speak. Or my metro one.

My Dad first introduced me to podcasts on long-distance road trips. Soon, after many silent and boring commutes here in Istanbul, I found myself downloading Podkicker onto my phone. This was indeed one of the best free downloads I have ever installed. Suddenly, my commute had all of these opportunities opening up in front of it. Did I want to listen to international news? Or learn about how perfumes work? Or get some Turkish studying in? The options were countless.

My main 3 podcast areas are these:

News
Listening to the news helps you to break out of the bubble of your reality. It helps you remember that the world is moving along just as you are. My favorite news podcast is the Global News by the BBC and I also greatly enjoy listening to the Diane Rehm Show.

Learning
I have started using some Turkish phrases in my daily conversations that I didn't even learn in class...I learned them from podcasts like Turkish Tea Time. Funny side note: Many of my friends here  in Istanbul listen as well to Turkish Tea Time, and it is actually produced here in Istanbul. We have heard the host's voice so much that we joke that if ever we hear him out in public, we are going to shout "Justin!!!" Podcasts aren't just great for learning a new language (which is a wonderful thing to do, by the way - http://www.bbc.com/news/health-27634990). Stuff like RadioLab, Freakonomics, How Stuff Works, Stuff You Should Know and more can help you learn about any and all topics.

Laughter
It's true. Laughter is the best medicine. And sometimes it's just what you need after a day at work or school. So try Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me or The Prairie Home Companion by NPR if you are up to getting a few laughs (and probably tears) in while you drive.

Comment below with the podcasts that you listen to and recommend, if you are already transforming your commute!

If you want to listen to some books on your commute, try out Audible! Doing the free trial also helps fund my traveling through Amazon Affiliates :)

Expert Tips for Study Abroad & Exchange Students

Studying in Istanbul, Turkey last fall changed my life in more ways than one. In the next few weeks many students (and maybe even you) are heading off on international adventures, whether to do study abroad, exchange programs, or working abroad. Here are some expert tips from students who have gone before and conquered the road less traveled. They fought through visa applications, bought plane tickets, moved into cities where they may not have known the language, and took every day as a challenge and an adventure to soak in a culture other than their own. Their advice is great for knowing how to get the most out of this crazy and amazing experience.

Aileen -  Chicago, Illinois -> Istanbul, Turkey for an exchange semester
Expert Advice: Make a purposeful effort to ignore your inhibitions in communicating with other people, whether with other locals or your study abroad mates. Aileen says - "I think it is really about mindset and opening yourself up to opportunity through communication."

Case in point: Aileen shared a story with me about travelling to another city in Turkey with several exchange students that she had met at her Turkish university. They wanted to rent bicycles, so they all walked into a homey-looking bike rental shop and found the shop owners sharing in Turkish breakfast (which is a very important meal in Turkey). She noticed that they were eating menemen (a delicious dish made of eggs, butter, and cheese), which was one of her favorite dishes. She used that as a conversation-starter and started talking with them about how amazing Turkish breakfast is. As soon as she remarked on their menemen, they immediately asked her to try some of theirs (the foundation of great Turkish hospitality is based on sharing what you have with others). This is where her advice kicks in. She says - "I ignored my very American mindset of rejecting the offer out of courtesy and I instead tried their food, and of course it was incredible. It was a very surprisingly intimate thing to eat a stranger's food, but I did not let that stop me and I'm glad I didn't!"

Karen - Atlanta, Georgia -> Madrid, Spain for a Study Abroad Summer
Expert Advice:
#1 - Guard your belongings, and travel with as few things as possible. Keep valuables (money, phone, passport) out of sight, as some places you may travel may have pickpockets.
#2 - Learn about cultural differences before you go and be open to experiencing them. She notes, "Many people try to live as Americans abroad, but if you embrace the culture you learn a lot more."

Emily - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -> Berlin, Germany for Summer Language Study
Expert Advice:
#1 - Don't underestimate what you will learn from other expats. Emily had roommates from Finland and Russia, and also made friends with a girl from Macedonia during her stay in Berlin. She enjoyed learning bits of their languages and learning about their cultures as well.
#2 - Keep looking for chances to interact with locals, especially if you are there for language immersion.

Brian - Atlanta, Georgia -> France with the European Council program, Valdosta State University
Expert Advice: Keep an open mind. Brian found that it was important to "Just try to explore what is around you and don't be so quick to judge if something seems strange." Those are the experiences that make study abroad adventures so unique.

Maeve - Atlanta, Georgia -> France with Georgia Tech Lorraine program
Expert Advice: Try to become fully invested in where you are living. Maeve noticed that "Too often, I've seen students flock to places like Pizza Hut because it reminds them of home when they could be exploring new, exciting places." She also found that getting lost in new cities is the best way to explore.

My advice? Get to know local students at your university and in your community. Yes, it is really hard sometimes because of the language barrier, but it is totally worth it. I made several great friends in my classes in Istanbul, and their friendships mean the world to me. They helped me when I needed advice and guidance, they shared meals (and lots of tea and coffee) with me, they helped me learn new Turkish words and phrases, and they have become life-long friends. 

Special thanks to all my friends who contributed their expert advice!

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Climbing the Tallest CTO Distillation Tower in the World!

Today the interns of Arizona Chemical got to climb the (alleged) tallest Crude Tall Oil Distillation Tower in the world! It's called T-4 and has an excellent view of Savannah. Plus, we got a great leg work-out climbing up and down all of those stairs!

So glad to have gotten to share the intern experience at Arizona Chemical with these guys! It's been an amazing summer :)

5 Books that Every Girl Must Read!

Now, if you are a girl, stop right here, click this, and print.... Ok, now you can keep reading :)

I've been doing some thinking lately (I know, a dangerous pastime) about the books that have shaped my life. Some have been fiction that have filled my imagination with wonders and fueled my passion for adventure. Others have been stories of people who have walked the roads less travelled, learned lessons from experiences that I may never personally have, and written chronicles from which I have snatched bits and pieces of wisdom. I've loved them all, even when the lessons that I've learned have been eye-opening and soul-searching.

Now, back to that doc I had you print up. These are 5 books that have filled my life with joy and helped me keep my eyes on the purpose for life. I hope you will read them and enjoy them, and I hope that they will impact your life in the same way that they have impacted mine.  And I hope you will come back and tell me what you think about them :) Let me know if there are any more books that you would recommend adding to the list!

Now, here's the run-down.

#1 - The Bible
 I've heard people refer to it as the Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. But I personally don't think there is anything basic about it. It is the greatest adventure story, love letter, thriller, and guidebook in the world. While we're on the topic, here is one of my favorite verses:

"God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:27 (NIV)

#2 - Old-Fashioned Girl by Louisa May Alcott

Fiction

I went through a stage when I was younger where I read almost all of L.M. Alcott's books. She is one of my favorite authors because she wrote characters into being who "lived simply so that others may simply live" (yes, I just stole that quote from Elizabeth Seton). Although Little Women may be her most famous book, this one is my favorite. I just re-read it recently and was reminded of many things, one of which is that when I am having a bad day, I should make sure to do something to brighten someone else's. And Polly always reminds me that it is okay to have one good black silk dress (yeah, you may need to read it to figure out that one).

#3 - The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom
Nonfiction
You may think you know the story, and you may have seen the movie, but you really need to read Corrie's own words in this book. Reading The Hiding Place has challenged me to look out for the interests of others over my own and totally trust God, even when the world is falling apart at the seams. Read it once, read it again, give it to a friend...you get the picture.

#4 - The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Fiction
Now, L.M. Montgomery is really famous for Anne of Green Gables and the Avonlea Chronicles, but whenever a friend of mine introduced me to this gem I was hooked. It is one of those feel-good stories that is really pure and lovely.And it will make you want to go have a cuddle with nature. 

#5 - Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
Nonfiction
I started reading this book while at my favorite coffee shop in Savannah. I started tearing up before I had even finished the Foreword. God has really used this story of obedience to work in my life. More on that later, but in the meantime, you should really pick up a copy and read this beautiful chronicle of a girl who has given her all for God. It's really amazing.

Let me know in the Comments section what you think, if you have already read some of these books, and any suggestions that should be added to the list of books every girl should read. Feel free to share this list with friends, daughters, sisters, moms...all the books are appropriate for all ages!

 Happy reading!

IDK

This week I joined the YMCA. I went to my first Sandgnats game, along with other college students from the local church I'm attending. I read my book from the public library (currently The Age of Innocence, if anyone is wondering). Overall, I'm hitting that stage that I have in each of my nomadic wanderings where I start to feel like I'm living somewhere. It's like finally being able to hit cruise control on a long car ride. Like that moment on the beach when you're all set up and can finally sit back and close your eyes.

Well, sort of. 

Because, I'm only human. And I'm already trying to figure out the next stop on my journey. I like to have a plan. I really like to have a plan. I thought I had my fall months planned out. I kept reassuring myself with the fact that, until January, I know what I'm doing. But God just smiled down at me, as I know He does when I start to think that I've got a plan. And He told me that my plan was not His plan. So, when people ask me what I'm doing after this internship, my answer is, "I don't know." But He knows. And I keep having to remind myself that that is all that really matters. 

If you wouldn't mind praying for me, this is more of a struggle than it seems. I have a lot of options that I could pursue for this fall, and a lot of them would be glorifying to God, but I just don't know which one is the one I should do! I've made lists. I've thrown away my lists. I've started over on my lists. And I've prayed. A lot. This is bigger than this autumn. I know how small moments, small decisions, can make big changes in a person's life. 

For example, one day in fall 2012, I sat in the lobby of my apartment building. I was waiting for the shuttle to truck me over to campus, and another girl was sitting on another couch across from me. She caught my eye, and I smiled. And then I remembered my mantra for that fall (Meet people!) and I started talking with her. That girl was Pelin. Because of us meeting that day, we started talking when we would see each other on the bus. And then, when she needed to move to another apartment a few weeks later, she asked me if she could move into the suite I was in. Because of that meeting, Pelin and I are now as close as sisters. Literally. Because of that meeting, I moved to Turkey for 4 months. Because of that meeting, my life has been forever changed. This is why I am sometimes really peculiar about making decisions. Because I know that the tiniest one, something that may seem really insignificant to me, could change the direction of my path. What if I hadn't spoken with Pelin that day? What if I had smiled and just minded my own business? 

So when you ask me what my plans are, expect to get a good measure of shoulder-shrugging. And a smile :) Because even though I don't know what's coming my way, I'm sure He's got something pretty amazing in the works.