So...I'm playing catch-up again. I'm so sorry...I keep forgetting my camera when I go
to these epic places! Thankfully Rachel and Matthew are usually very handy with theirs.
That shouldn't be an excuse, though. I will try to be better about it this weekend.
To go over what this week has been like, I will start with Monday. We went shopping
in Ogre, then after lunch I went back to the little art store with Elizabeth. That
evening we had Artis, Ieva, and their son Adrian for supper. That was nice.:) Ieva is
very interesting. She knows several languages, and she and Artis have done some
travelling. That usually intrigues me. Ieva (pronounced Yeh-va, I believe) taught
me how to say "It was nothing" in Latvian. My Latvian knowledge is consistently
growing. A word here, a phrase there. It's fascinating.
Tuesday we went to see a palace. That was very grand. I felt like I had stepped into
a Jane Austen movie. The ballroom made me want to dress up in period clothing
and get a ball together. I wanted to fill the room with couples and beautiful music.
Another stunning thing about this place was the garden. (Pictures later.)
Yesterday we mainly hung around the house and worked on taking it easy before the
next round of activities kicks in. I took a walk by myself for the very first time which
seemed to be very shocking to Elizabeth, Matthew, and Rachel. :p The evening was
spent helping take care of the children. Daniel and Amelija wanted Matthew the most,
though, until it was time to go to bed. Elizabeth was at church most of the evening.
Today is another day for relaxation.
Have a blessed day, everyone!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thoughts on Cars in Latvia
I've been observing the cars here in Latvia. It's very interesting to me to see that the colors are very
neutral, and never seem really to be flashy at all. I've seen a lot of gray, white, black, brick red, forest
green, and the random calm blue. The only kind of trucks you'll see are ones that carry cargo. I don't
think I've seen a pickup truck at all. The reason for this is economy.
I've seen a lot of Volkswagons, Hondas, Lexus, and the occasional Ford (that surprised me). I'm
not exactly sure what all else they have here, yet. No matter what, though, they have a distinctive shape.
Perhaps I'll try and get a picture for you on here sometime.
neutral, and never seem really to be flashy at all. I've seen a lot of gray, white, black, brick red, forest
green, and the random calm blue. The only kind of trucks you'll see are ones that carry cargo. I don't
think I've seen a pickup truck at all. The reason for this is economy.
I've seen a lot of Volkswagons, Hondas, Lexus, and the occasional Ford (that surprised me). I'm
not exactly sure what all else they have here, yet. No matter what, though, they have a distinctive shape.
Perhaps I'll try and get a picture for you on here sometime.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Random Thoughts on Latvian Courtesy and Hair
I was just musing on the manners of the Latvian people. They are so interesting! They are some of
the most polite people I have ever encountered. They are warm, kind hearted people who, for the
most part, go out of their way to help others.
For example: people here are always supposed to be mindful of pedestrians. They are actually
required to stop for you if you are in what is called a "zebra walk". They have lights for this sort of
thing...but even when they don't they are required to let the pedestrians walk across the street
first.
People are astoundingly hospitable here. They are very open with their homes, very generous
with their food, and extremely amiable.
They always love to be involved helping with some kind of work.
If you are struggling with a baby buggy on a ramp or up the train steps they rush to your aid. When
you get on the train and you need a seat, they move over for you!
I have only had a few encounters with rudeness. They are few and far-between.
People are very casual for the most part and move over for you whenever you are in their path.
Either that or they calmly work their way around you.
They are more reserved, but very polite. They keep to themselves a good deal more than Iowans...
but that's completely understandable. Big cities are a good place to be cautious. In smaller groups
they are very friendly!
Now for the hair. Hair on men is like a regular short length combed over in the front, a crew cut,
a buzz, or a ponytail, give or take. I've also seen a few rattails on little boys. Interesting how that
comes back into fashion.
For the women I've seen a lot of "Roger Rabbit Red", if you know what I'm saying. I've not seen
that whole movie, mind you, but it is that kind of red hair. I've seen some layered medium length cuts,
and some random shorter cuts. The most prominent of all, though, is the amazing amount of women
whose hair is longer than mid-back length. It is so common here to just look down the sidewalk and
see one to a handful of women with stunning long hair! It's breathtaking! Not only that but they leave
it down most of the time! :D:D:D It's long hair lovers heaven over here.
the most polite people I have ever encountered. They are warm, kind hearted people who, for the
most part, go out of their way to help others.
For example: people here are always supposed to be mindful of pedestrians. They are actually
required to stop for you if you are in what is called a "zebra walk". They have lights for this sort of
thing...but even when they don't they are required to let the pedestrians walk across the street
first.
People are astoundingly hospitable here. They are very open with their homes, very generous
with their food, and extremely amiable.
They always love to be involved helping with some kind of work.
If you are struggling with a baby buggy on a ramp or up the train steps they rush to your aid. When
you get on the train and you need a seat, they move over for you!
I have only had a few encounters with rudeness. They are few and far-between.
People are very casual for the most part and move over for you whenever you are in their path.
Either that or they calmly work their way around you.
They are more reserved, but very polite. They keep to themselves a good deal more than Iowans...
but that's completely understandable. Big cities are a good place to be cautious. In smaller groups
they are very friendly!
Now for the hair. Hair on men is like a regular short length combed over in the front, a crew cut,
a buzz, or a ponytail, give or take. I've also seen a few rattails on little boys. Interesting how that
comes back into fashion.
For the women I've seen a lot of "Roger Rabbit Red", if you know what I'm saying. I've not seen
that whole movie, mind you, but it is that kind of red hair. I've seen some layered medium length cuts,
and some random shorter cuts. The most prominent of all, though, is the amazing amount of women
whose hair is longer than mid-back length. It is so common here to just look down the sidewalk and
see one to a handful of women with stunning long hair! It's breathtaking! Not only that but they leave
it down most of the time! :D:D:D It's long hair lovers heaven over here.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
My Flower from Elina & Flowers from the Market
Here're some flowers for your viewing pleasure! :)
Elizabeth has taught me the Latvian tradition of bestowing a flower on a guest. She gave me a rose when
I first got here, then Elina gave me this flower when she came to visit. It touched my heart. I thought it was
so sweet of her.
I first got here, then Elina gave me this flower when she came to visit. It touched my heart. I thought it was
so sweet of her.
 |
| Aren't they scrumptious? |
I ended up giving a couple of these lovely dahlias to some other guests of ours, Liga and Leanora.
I was pleased I could do it for them.:)
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Girls' Night
A bunch of young ladies came over last night. We made p'zones and chocolate dunkers (without the
sauce to dunk them in, but that's all I know to call them). I felt rather out of place for awhile. Elizabeth
said that I looked skeptical. I have to agree with her, as that is exactly how I felt.
sauce to dunk them in, but that's all I know to call them). I felt rather out of place for awhile. Elizabeth
said that I looked skeptical. I have to agree with her, as that is exactly how I felt.
We had a lovely picnic outside, followed by a game and testimonies. Rachel gave a very detailed testimony that had me on the verge of tears. I had no idea just how much she's gone through, so it was very eye-opening to me. After hers the girls wanted to know about me, so I gave a very brief summary of a testimony. After that we went around the table, and the girls gave me an idea of what they enjoy doing, and where they are in their lives. I came away blessed. At the end of the evening one of the girls impulsively gave me a hug. This touched my heart. Praise the Lord for his hand in this evening! I'm so glad I could be a part of it.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Of Forests, Pomp, and Circumstance
Soooo...here are the pictures as I promised. These ones will be from my outings on Wednesday.
 |
| Elizabeth |
 |
| Daniel |
 |
| Rachel and Ariana. |
 |
| Amazing trees! |
 |
Smile! Oops...sorry. I pressed the button a little late, Matthew. |
 |
| Matthew and I filled this bowl with blueberries. |
 |
| From left to right: Me, Rachel and Matthew all dressed up for the ballet. Matthew's in his "Nutcracker" stance. |
Thursday, August 4, 2011
In Latvia: Pt 2 (recap)
I know I've sorely been neglecting you all for the past few days...life has kept me contentedly busy.
I've been back to Riga for more shopping, to the forest to pick blueberries and hunt for mushrooms,
to the "Sleeping Beauty" ballet, and to the beach of the Baltic Sea. I have several pictures that I can
share with you later. Until then I will give you a summary.
In Riga we had a girls' day out. It was Elizabeth, Rachel, Ariana, and me. I had a great time shopping
around in all of the stores, even if I didn't purchase everything I considered. I bought a couple of lovely
tops. One floral, the other a heather oatmeal with lace around the collar. (Side note: Rachel was right
when she told me that the clothes over here really are cuter. They have many more things suited to my
taste!) We ate at a Cili's pizza place where we were served an amazingly large pizza with a thin crust.
We ate the whole thing. I hate an amazingly decadent beverage called "Love Heart". It was non-alcoholic,
and had a tropical creaminess to it.
Going to the forest was just another part of the faerie tale that is Latvia. Elizabeth, Matthew, Rachel,
Daniel, Amelija, Ariana, and I all trekked out into the fascinatingly tall trees. These trees really do reach
for the sky (I know...all of you who love Toy Story are probably thinking about Woody right now).
My left hand got saturated with blueberry juice. It took several washes to get the stain out of my skin
and nails. The other marvel that was harvested are these yellow mushrooms with slightly flattened heads
and long, skinny stalks. They're something that artists dream of capturing on paper or canvas. Yes, they're
just that interesting.:)
The ballet was surreal. I felt like I was in a dream. I'm really in Latvia. I'm really all dressed up sitting with
Matthew and Rachel in an opera house gilded with paintings, satins, beads, velvet, bannisters, and many
balconies. I giggled and marveled over the movements of the dancers. Each sparkle and poise poetry
in motion. I reveled in the music. How I love to hear the music from the story "Sleeping Beauty".
Today we shopped a little, then went to the sea. I always think of Caleb from "Sarah Plain and Tall"
when I think of the sea. I think of the part where, after Sarah brings him some colored pencils, he says
"Look! The colors of the sea!" (I'm add libbing here, so feel free to correct me if I'm miss quoting).
My first reactions were that of the wind, the blue water rising up against a clear blue sky, and the softest,
silkiest sand that my feet have ever touched. I was incredulous over just how soft and powdery it was.
Another fascination I had was when I waded in the shallow waters. The light was playing on the ripples
like an echo, the show dizzying and breathtaking in its effect. The sand was pure tan with silver sparkles
catching the light here and there. Minnows darted about in abundance. I was tickled.
A major happy thought for me at the beach was a seagull. Rachel pointed him out to me as we were
working our way deeper into the waves. This little fella sat nonchalantly on the water, allowing each
wave to bob him about like a bell buoy. He looked like he hadn't a care in the world. No matter if
people were swimming all around. He could very well have said "Doo doop dee doo." several times
as he rode the waves. I laughed so hard I could barely get a word out to explain to Rachel why I
thought he was so funny. :D
Oh, the crowning touch for the outing is the sterling silver ring I bought with a bezel-set amber stone.
Very special, indeed! :)
I've been back to Riga for more shopping, to the forest to pick blueberries and hunt for mushrooms,
to the "Sleeping Beauty" ballet, and to the beach of the Baltic Sea. I have several pictures that I can
share with you later. Until then I will give you a summary.
In Riga we had a girls' day out. It was Elizabeth, Rachel, Ariana, and me. I had a great time shopping
around in all of the stores, even if I didn't purchase everything I considered. I bought a couple of lovely
tops. One floral, the other a heather oatmeal with lace around the collar. (Side note: Rachel was right
when she told me that the clothes over here really are cuter. They have many more things suited to my
taste!) We ate at a Cili's pizza place where we were served an amazingly large pizza with a thin crust.
We ate the whole thing. I hate an amazingly decadent beverage called "Love Heart". It was non-alcoholic,
and had a tropical creaminess to it.
Going to the forest was just another part of the faerie tale that is Latvia. Elizabeth, Matthew, Rachel,
Daniel, Amelija, Ariana, and I all trekked out into the fascinatingly tall trees. These trees really do reach
for the sky (I know...all of you who love Toy Story are probably thinking about Woody right now).
My left hand got saturated with blueberry juice. It took several washes to get the stain out of my skin
and nails. The other marvel that was harvested are these yellow mushrooms with slightly flattened heads
and long, skinny stalks. They're something that artists dream of capturing on paper or canvas. Yes, they're
just that interesting.:)
The ballet was surreal. I felt like I was in a dream. I'm really in Latvia. I'm really all dressed up sitting with
Matthew and Rachel in an opera house gilded with paintings, satins, beads, velvet, bannisters, and many
balconies. I giggled and marveled over the movements of the dancers. Each sparkle and poise poetry
in motion. I reveled in the music. How I love to hear the music from the story "Sleeping Beauty".
Today we shopped a little, then went to the sea. I always think of Caleb from "Sarah Plain and Tall"
when I think of the sea. I think of the part where, after Sarah brings him some colored pencils, he says
"Look! The colors of the sea!" (I'm add libbing here, so feel free to correct me if I'm miss quoting).
My first reactions were that of the wind, the blue water rising up against a clear blue sky, and the softest,
silkiest sand that my feet have ever touched. I was incredulous over just how soft and powdery it was.
Another fascination I had was when I waded in the shallow waters. The light was playing on the ripples
like an echo, the show dizzying and breathtaking in its effect. The sand was pure tan with silver sparkles
catching the light here and there. Minnows darted about in abundance. I was tickled.
A major happy thought for me at the beach was a seagull. Rachel pointed him out to me as we were
working our way deeper into the waves. This little fella sat nonchalantly on the water, allowing each
wave to bob him about like a bell buoy. He looked like he hadn't a care in the world. No matter if
people were swimming all around. He could very well have said "Doo doop dee doo." several times
as he rode the waves. I laughed so hard I could barely get a word out to explain to Rachel why I
thought he was so funny. :D
Oh, the crowning touch for the outing is the sterling silver ring I bought with a bezel-set amber stone.
Very special, indeed! :)
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