Talking the Lingo...kinda

So today after church we went out to lunch with our friends. We have our own little group that get together on Sundays to play games and hang out. So today we went out to lunch together to this BBQ place at the American Club called Moose&Roo. We took a taxi to get there it is about 30 minutes away from the church.

Our taxi driver was super nice! He taught us the correct way to pronounce the address of Moose&Roo. Then he asked where we were from. At first I didn't understand what he was asking. I knew he was asking a question but I didn't know what it was. But then he started naming countries and I was like ooohhh. So I told him that we were Americans. Then he asked how old we were. It was so much fun to answer back in the language. Even though I only understood a couple of words in the questions I could get the gist of what he was asking. 

It was a lot of fun to practice the language that we have been learning everyday. It wasn't perfect but it was fun! This was probably the best taxi driver I have had since being here. He taught me how to pronounce the name of the taxi and his name. He also gave me his card with the number so we can call him to pick us up! 

It is such a great feeling when you can understand a little bit of the language and have a semi conversation with the locals. Even if the conversation was very one sided (he asked questions and I answered) it was still great. It makes me excited for the day that I can have a full conversation with a local in their language :).

Also the food as Moose&Roo was DELICIOUS!!! It was real BBQ with authentic sides. It could rival City BBQ back in Lexington. We left will full stomachs and full heart (because the company was great). The BBQ came with homemade sides and OHH MY GOODNESS best food I have had here. I ordered the BBQ chicken with cornbread and onion rings. We all shared our food. So I got to try the pulled pork, the ribs, chicken wings, and the brisket. We also shared the sides. We got mac N cheese, mashed potatoes, deviled eggs, and french fries. We spent 2 hours there talking and eating. I am so glad God has given me such great friends here and the opportunity to find hidden gems like Moose&Roo to fill our bellies.

BBQ chicken with cornbread and onion rings. 

Overseas Doctor Visit

The past couple of days I haven't been feeling very good. I went to school this morning for my first class and I couldn't make it through without crying. Now I am not an easy crier so I must have been in more pain than I realized. During 2nd period we, the foreign staff, got together to pray and I started crying again and we decided that it was best for me to go home and get some rest. 

I spent all morning trying to rest. I worshiped and prayed. I also tried to sleep but I was constantly uncomfortable. I just felt like I was supposed to go to the doctor. If I was in the States I would have easily gone to the Little Clinic. However, since I am in a different country I didn't really know what to do. Thank God for my lead teacher. We have all become like family and she was willing to pick me up after school and go with me to the Family Medical doctor.  

I already have a fear of doctors (White Coat Syndrome) but in a foreign country I felt deathly terrified! Thankfully everyone was super nice and we didn't have to wait too long to see the GP. However he couldn't help so I had to see a different doctor. We had to wait for her but thankfully it wasn't too long. I think we spent about an hour waiting altogether.  

It's a different experience going to the doctor (called hospital here) in a foreign country. Thankfully this was an international hospital so the staff spoke English and everyone was super nice. The doctors were very helpful and once you get past the cultural differences (one was from the Philippines and the other was from France) I could look past the rude bedside manner from the French doctor. I knew she meant well :).  

The French doctor asked where I was from and I told her America. She scoffed. Wow the French really don't like Americans. But then she was really nice it was just funny her reaction when I told her I was American.  

I can check going to the doctor in a foreign country off of my list! There is a first time for everything!!! 

I am glad I went to the hospital here. Even though I am terrified of doctors this visit really calmed me down. Please continue to pray for healing in my body. I know God is in control. Pray for peace and rest. God Bless.  

Refresh Women's Retreat

This past weekend I had the opportunity to go with 81 women from church to H@ Long Bay for a retreat. It was so awesome to get out of the city and breathe fresh air! Ha Long Bay is about 4 hours away from church. We left on Friday at 1pm and arrived at 5:30pm. The difference between the two cities is crazy! We stayed in Paradise. No literally the name of the hotel is Paradise Suites and it was really a Paradise. It was a five star hotel in my books and the food was AMAZING!

Oh My this bed! It was so comfortable!!! It felt like sleeping on a cloud! It was hard to get up in the morning. LOL

During the weekend we had a guest speaker from Canada. She shared some of her amazing testimony and it was awesome! It spoke to every women. It was great to hear a personal account of how another woman has struggled and it makes you draw similarities. God really moved this weekend. 

On Saturday we also had a little bit of free time. I decided to go to the beach with a couple of ladies I met. I was so excited to go to the beach! It is just so peaceful and the perfect time to relax and read. I also swam in the bay, but once I saw a dead fish I was done and decided it was time to lay out and read. 

Finally made it to the beach!!! The hotel had its own private beach so we had it all to ourselves!!!

Saturday night, we went back to the beach for a BBQ. The hotel was amazing and set up a beautiful banquet for us. The food was delicious (we probably ate $170 worth of food) and the worship was awesome. It was so great to worship God under the stars with other women. God is amazing!  

I really hope I can return to H@ Long Bay sometime while I am here. It is a nice beach and the lovely hotel gave us a discount for our next visit. 

*A little laugh... We just got back from this amazing retreat where we stayed at this gorgeous hotel with nice beds and showers and then we get home and we spend the night cleaning out our kitchen and killing at least 10 cockroaches. Also the water in our apartment building is turned off. Nothing like a welcome home!