I'm obviously not Czech, but I've definitely grown that way. Last year I began to realize the pieces of life I live differently just from experiecing life in another country for so many years. Most I really appreciate. It also makes transitioning back to the States for periods of time an adjustment. But it was interesting for me reflect on -
I don't use ice in drinks. Most Europeans don't and now anything with ice is generally too cold for me.
I drink hot tea. Lots of it. Without sugar.
I naturally walk a lot. It's normal, since it's always a walk to the metro and not having a yard means walking with Maggie. My daily step count drops drastically when I'm stateside.
The ease of payments by bank account transfer is spectacular.
I've adjusted to the climate - now anything over 80 degrees is just too hot and PA humidity just about takes me out.
I think temperature in Celsius and time in military time. My distance tracker is set to km.
I'm used to small supermarkets and individual shops for specific items: stationary, drugstore, pharmacy, home goods... Target and Wal-Mart are now super overwhelming.
I love having no screens on the windows and opening the balcony doors wide on beautiful days. There just aren't that many bugs.
I'm more comfortable eating with a knife in my right hand and fork in the left - and not putting the knife down.
Making an Advent wreath for my flat during Advent is routine and I'm baffled why I can't find the same supplies in the US
Buying one bottle of iced tea/soda/whatever drink off the shelf in the supermarket is normal. It confuses me why I can't just buy 1 bottle in the US - why do I have to buy a 6 pack?
House shoes: so practical
Electric hot water kettle is a must have (years back I asked my parents for one for my birthday when I was in the States, because I wasn't dealing well without it). No, the microwave does not do it as effectively. And boiling water in the hot water pot to start your rice or potatoes cooking is so convenient.
Definitely more comfortable with less self-consciousness regarding the body. i.e. I assume dressing gowns at the doctor will not be provided, so sometimes that just means topless and adopting a mindset of "if no one else cares/is thinking about it, I guess I won't either."
On the other hand, a few pieces of American culture that I do maintain
Using vanilla extract instead of vanilla sugar (since I mostly bake American recipes and vanilla extract is not to be found except in the British store)
Using a shower with the showerhead attached high on the wall, rather than near the tub with a long hose (I've done it, but really, how do you avoid getting water everywhere?? Fortunately in my current flat we have both)
Decorating for seasons and holidays much more than Czechs (this one thanks to my mom)
I usually cook and bake with US recipes - which means having measuring cups and spoons on hand (not so common in Europe since they bake by weight). But I do own a kitchen scales and use it occasionally.
I'm curious - what have you picked up from other countries or regions that have become part of your life?
In the season of Lent I've often felt led toward a discipline of some kind. In my current season of some deep uncertainties, I'm struggling to connect with a "fast" that felt appropriate and doable. I know, fasting from something shouldn't necessarily feel "doable." Some of the point is to trust God to do something in the midst of what I'm giving up, right? To heighten my awareness of my need for him. When I'm in a good place, that can feel healthy. Spiritual. Meaningful. When I'm already in a lot of turmoil .... well, let's just say it might not be a good time to try to find out.
But a friend on Facebook posted a blog (here if you want to read it) which felt inspiring and positive in this season, when the state of the world does not feel hopeful and when personally I'm thinking about a transition back to Prague that includes a lot of fear and unknowns. The challenge: look for beauty and goodness (essentially). Look for the fingerprint of God. I need the discipline to lift my eyes from navel-gazing to something much better. I'm a little late getting started, but here goes - to be added to (hopefully) daily:
Thursday, February 19: (2 for today since I neglected to start on Ash Wednesday)
Delighting in a niece making all the animal noises as she pulls each animal out of a box, one by one. Especially the hippo. 😄
Also: sister who bought Wicked: for Good so that I could see it before I fly back to Prague.
Friday, February 20: Multiple comments at a weekend retreat of, "I heard you postponed your flight to be here - that will be such a blessing to your team!" or "Thanks for postponing your return to be here." The value of being seen.
Saturday, February 21:
Sunday, February 22:
One last PA snow
Monday, February 23
Joy and creativity of little minds to decorate for Maggie's birthday party
Tuesday, February 24:
A cancelled flight which enabled us to get out and walk in suburbia DC while we waited for the rebooked flight 2.5 hours later than expected
Wednesday, February 25:
Mountains!!! Flying along the Alps half the way from Zurich to Prague.
Thursday, February 26:
A doctor visit that went relatively smoothly with staff that were nice (definitely not always a given), considering almost all the communication with multiple nurses was in Czech and I wasn't sure how these first conversations in Czech would go after being out of the country for so long.
Friday, February 27:
A welcome back gift from a friend that is already giving some spring beauty
Saturday, February 28:
Being able to dig deep with a friend on a hike
Sunday, March 1:
Full heart as I was greeted by multiple people at church who knew I was gone and were excited to welcome me back.
Monday, March 2:
The gift of a friend sharing her process of needing to work independently and helping me sort out what may help. And offering mutual accountability.
Tuesday, March 3:
Being recognized and welcomed back at choir rehearsal by people I know only very superficially
Wednesday, March 4:
A beautiful day to work outside
Thursday, March 5:
Decorating for spring, including the kraslice (decorated Easter eggs) that's I've collected over the years. I enjoy their beauty!
Friday, March 6:
Tiredness and muscle soreness of being active.
Saturday, March 7:
A two year old unafraid to come up to me and wrap her arms around my neck, even though she hasn't seen me in 6 months and can't remember my name 😂
Sunday, March 8:
A tiny bit of gardening and color for the balcony
Monday, March 9:
A somewhat spontaneous invite to walk which helped pull me out of a discouraging funk.
Tuesday, March 10:
Life emerging!
Wednesday, March 11:
An encouraging conversation with a friend about possibility and exploring new trails in familiar spaces: a couple of trails I've never walked through Prokopske udoli
Thursday, March 12:
Only 5 hour difference for classes (US changed time, we don't change time till the end of March), which means that my last class ends at 10pm instead of 11pm this week.
Friday, March 13:
Worker at IKEA approaching me at the end of a long line at the register and asking if I'll pay cash or card. When I said cash, she said, "Well, it doesn't matter - come with me!" and proceeded to ring up all my items at the self-service register in the grocery section.
Saturday, March 14
A moment with a fellow hiker as we admired a huge patches of snowdrops.
Sunday, March 15
Being able to laugh while playing a game with church friends - even while losing horribly because it was a word game in Czech. Good for release of competitiveness :)
Monday, March 16
The sweetest Ukrainian ladies, some of whom have been through hell, giving hugs at a refugee center even though I'm a stranger.
Tuesday, March 17
Czechs treats at choir practice; the ladies brought their own treats for their birthdays and they are so intricate!
Wednesday, March 18
Work together on English camp and excitement for what this could be - along with an invitation to dinner :)
Thursday, March 19
Spring buds
Friday, March 20
A welcome spontaneous invitation to meet some friends, since no other plans for the weekend had worked out with others
Saturday, March 21
A guy who interacted with Maggie each time we passed each other on a hike
Sunday, March 22
A chance to wander around Easter markets and try some different food like Georgian style pizza (I can't remember what it was called, but it was yummy!). Also, zoom in on the straw design on those eggs - incredible!
Monday, March 23
The doctor's office that I go to operates in English and Czech; a lot of foreigners go there and my appointments are usually in English, including with the doctor I saw today. I responded to a question during our conversation with "dobrý" (good), and the doctor immediately says, "Oh, you speak Czech!" And continues to explain (in Czech) that she doesn't know other English speakers who have learned Czech. Then says, "Klobouk dolů!" (hats off to you), which is really quite a compliment. And finished our appointment completely in Czech. It's encouraging to be reminded that making the effort makes an impact on Czechs.
Tuesday, March 24
Another birthday at choir, this time with a hedgehog cake since the director's last name (whose birthday it was) is Czech "hedgehog" and chance to chat with one of the girls who lives in Prague on the bus ride home.
Wednesday, March 25
Invitation to stay for dinner when picking up something from a friend - and tickled that her son understands so much English and was translated everything I said into Czech
Thursday, March 26
Breakfast date and witnessing God's goodness in another's journey
Friday, March 27
A walk with a friend and realizing that though our situations are different, we are both experiencing a wilderness type of season and then being able to pray together over it.
Saturday, March 28
Finding my favorite soda (apricot Kofola) in the corner convenience store
Sunday, March 29
Green rolling hills
Monday, March 30
A quick, simple meeting to sign my tax return - and being told that what I owe is significantly less than last year!
Tuesday, March 31
Running into a woman who I interacted with a lot years ago when she attended English conversation and I taught her (at that time) 5 year old son English. Her son is now 14 and English proficient. It was a joy to see her and catch up.
Wednesday, April 1
Decorating eggs the Czech way with Czechs who have never done it 😄
Thursday, April 2
Maggie interacting with another dog, both tails wagging enthusiastically.
Friday, April 3
Going to a Good Friday service and being unexpectedly delighted to discover a choir singing a version of the 7 Last Words of Christ from the Cross
Saturday, April 4
Easter gathering with team, yummy food and more eggs
