Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Saturday, November 6, 2010
I say Sushi, he says Fushi
Friday was my first Nicaragua pay day. Granted my check was not for very much, AT ALL, but hey, it's all about the reward of a paycheck. Especially when one wakes up at 430 to travel 2 hours to get to her job. But as you can tell, there were all smiles when the work paid off.
Anyways, ever since I started my job at NCA, Nicaragua Christian Academy, I haven't spent much time in Catarina. I normally leave around 430 to get to the school at 7, and don't come home until 6, just to do it all over again the next day. I get crabby when I loose my sleep, so lately I have been hitting the hay pretty early, around 830 or 9. So my time spent with Douglas has suffered from this greatly. He's such a good sport about it, and continues to support me along the way, but it is just no fun to never really get to spend time with him.
SO, yesterday we decided we would treat ourselves. Some friends at work told me about this Japonese place called Sushi Itto. I LOVE asain food, and have been having serious cravings here lately. When they mentioned how good the sushi was, I was sold. I have come to love sushi, thanks to my family, the Greers, and knew that it was time for Douglas to try it as well. When I explained to him what it was, he was very apprehensive about the whole thing. Bless his heart, he came and meeted me in Managua and waited until almost 130 to eat lunch with me (and for him not to have his food right at noon is quite a big deal).
Well, I guess I should inform you that I really only eat California rolls. I am not big on the raw meat myself, but the California rolls sure are delightful. Once they finally came, his stomach sure was a churnin. He was nervous, but hungry enough not to care and just to go at it. He's lookin pretty content right?
Haha, well that didn't last long. He wasn't a fan of the California rolls, but I gave him an A for trying. However, the food didn't stop there. I wasn't going to let my man starve to death. This was also the type of restaurant that cooked in front of you, I LOVE these kind of places. We ordered two plates of chicken and one order of fried rice.
He soon became a happy man. He got his rice (Asain style), but you know how those Nicaraguans are about their rice. They need it like they need water. I loved our long awaited outing. The time of fellowship is important. I take it for granted when the time is available, and I am so thankful for it when I hardly have time in the day for it. Time to relax, talk about life and all the craziness that is entangled with it. I was especially thankful for that time to be spent with a man who I admire greatly.
And so this is how the story goes, as they say.
Anyways, ever since I started my job at NCA, Nicaragua Christian Academy, I haven't spent much time in Catarina. I normally leave around 430 to get to the school at 7, and don't come home until 6, just to do it all over again the next day. I get crabby when I loose my sleep, so lately I have been hitting the hay pretty early, around 830 or 9. So my time spent with Douglas has suffered from this greatly. He's such a good sport about it, and continues to support me along the way, but it is just no fun to never really get to spend time with him.
SO, yesterday we decided we would treat ourselves. Some friends at work told me about this Japonese place called Sushi Itto. I LOVE asain food, and have been having serious cravings here lately. When they mentioned how good the sushi was, I was sold. I have come to love sushi, thanks to my family, the Greers, and knew that it was time for Douglas to try it as well. When I explained to him what it was, he was very apprehensive about the whole thing. Bless his heart, he came and meeted me in Managua and waited until almost 130 to eat lunch with me (and for him not to have his food right at noon is quite a big deal).
Well, I guess I should inform you that I really only eat California rolls. I am not big on the raw meat myself, but the California rolls sure are delightful. Once they finally came, his stomach sure was a churnin. He was nervous, but hungry enough not to care and just to go at it. He's lookin pretty content right?
Haha, well that didn't last long. He wasn't a fan of the California rolls, but I gave him an A for trying. However, the food didn't stop there. I wasn't going to let my man starve to death. This was also the type of restaurant that cooked in front of you, I LOVE these kind of places. We ordered two plates of chicken and one order of fried rice.
He soon became a happy man. He got his rice (Asain style), but you know how those Nicaraguans are about their rice. They need it like they need water. I loved our long awaited outing. The time of fellowship is important. I take it for granted when the time is available, and I am so thankful for it when I hardly have time in the day for it. Time to relax, talk about life and all the craziness that is entangled with it. I was especially thankful for that time to be spent with a man who I admire greatly.
And so this is how the story goes, as they say.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Liviana
Last weekend I went to my first orphanage. We all have a life filled with brokeness. Some have less than others, praise the Lord, but others have lives overflowing with brokeness. Like Job, that poor guy lost close to everything. I wouldn't call my life easy by any means, but at the same time I am learning how blessed I really was, even when I thought God had it out for me. People always use to tell me, "you should think of the little kids who have nothing, you have it better than them." O my goodness, I hated when people told me this. Yes I knew somewhere out in the world, there probably was children who were starving, seriously dying of hunger, who had no home, and NO ONE to love on them.
Well, this weekend my eyes have been opened. As I continue to live my 22.8 years of life I am constantly learning and experiening all sorts of things in which I never thought I would see. Children with broken homes are my passion. My heart breaks for them when I think of the love aren't recieving or the terrible things they are experiencing at such a young age.
SO .. this past weekend a co-worker of mine invited me to spend the weekend with her while it was her duty to watch after these children in the orphanage. Without a hesitation I said I would. There were about 12 children at this particular orphanage (3 older boys have just recently been adopted, PRAISE BE TO GOD). There are 5 babies/todlers and 7 older ones. I wish I had photos to show, but would you believe it I forgot my camera! I know, how shameful! Anyways, the kids stole my heart right away. We walked into the play room and it took them about 10 minutes to warm up to us, and then they were ready to go. Ready to wear Ms. Brittany out.
I think the thing that got to me the most was even though these children are in a Christian orphanage, it is just almost impossible to give all 12 of them the attention they need. Most people know that I am quite the hugger, I LOVE hugs. But these children loved you to just hold them, hug them, love them, or just to talk and listen to them. I hugged them every chance I got, and never did they get tired of it. To the older ones (and by older, I mean like 7 or 8ish), they too wanted the hugs just as much as the younger ones.
There was one girl named Liviana. She stuck out to me the most. Don't get me wrong, I loved the youngsters. I loved holding them, feeding them, and playing with them. But Liviana is the one who stole my heart. She is 7 years old and is brand new to this orphanage. She is from the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, and speaks mostly Meskito. She speaks ok spanish, and a little bit of English. She also has one eye, and can barely see out of the only eye she has. The other girls make fun of her a little, because she has a tendency to be Ms. Clumsy due to her bad vision. She fell at least 3 times when I was around her because she couldnt see hardly anything in her peripheral vision. She is a pretty strong girl, but one time she began to cry and the others began to laugh. You see when visitors come to the orphanage it is their natural instinct to tend to the little ones more. Which they do need more hands to take care of but the older ones are often disregaurded. So while everyone else was wrapped up in the babies gooing and gahing, I went to pick Liviana off the floor and take to the rocking chair just to rock her and to hold her. I told her I loved her, and I do even if I had only known her for less than 24 hours. I told her she was a special girl and that nobody could tell her differently.
That is my prayer tonight. I especially pray this for Liviana, but I pray it for everyone out there. Whether we want to admit or not, we all need to know that we are loved and that we are special to someone. But my prayer is that we, as the daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven, could truly come to feel the unconditional love that he pours out on us abundantly. That Liviana and the other Livianas out there would know that they are a princess to their heavenly daddy. He knows every tear that you cry, every heartache that you have, every desire, fear, and as your portion, He is here to fufill them all. And for that, I give all the glory, honor and praise to my Lord, my Savior, my Father in heaven, my daddy.
Well, this weekend my eyes have been opened. As I continue to live my 22.8 years of life I am constantly learning and experiening all sorts of things in which I never thought I would see. Children with broken homes are my passion. My heart breaks for them when I think of the love aren't recieving or the terrible things they are experiencing at such a young age.
SO .. this past weekend a co-worker of mine invited me to spend the weekend with her while it was her duty to watch after these children in the orphanage. Without a hesitation I said I would. There were about 12 children at this particular orphanage (3 older boys have just recently been adopted, PRAISE BE TO GOD). There are 5 babies/todlers and 7 older ones. I wish I had photos to show, but would you believe it I forgot my camera! I know, how shameful! Anyways, the kids stole my heart right away. We walked into the play room and it took them about 10 minutes to warm up to us, and then they were ready to go. Ready to wear Ms. Brittany out.
I think the thing that got to me the most was even though these children are in a Christian orphanage, it is just almost impossible to give all 12 of them the attention they need. Most people know that I am quite the hugger, I LOVE hugs. But these children loved you to just hold them, hug them, love them, or just to talk and listen to them. I hugged them every chance I got, and never did they get tired of it. To the older ones (and by older, I mean like 7 or 8ish), they too wanted the hugs just as much as the younger ones.
There was one girl named Liviana. She stuck out to me the most. Don't get me wrong, I loved the youngsters. I loved holding them, feeding them, and playing with them. But Liviana is the one who stole my heart. She is 7 years old and is brand new to this orphanage. She is from the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua, and speaks mostly Meskito. She speaks ok spanish, and a little bit of English. She also has one eye, and can barely see out of the only eye she has. The other girls make fun of her a little, because she has a tendency to be Ms. Clumsy due to her bad vision. She fell at least 3 times when I was around her because she couldnt see hardly anything in her peripheral vision. She is a pretty strong girl, but one time she began to cry and the others began to laugh. You see when visitors come to the orphanage it is their natural instinct to tend to the little ones more. Which they do need more hands to take care of but the older ones are often disregaurded. So while everyone else was wrapped up in the babies gooing and gahing, I went to pick Liviana off the floor and take to the rocking chair just to rock her and to hold her. I told her I loved her, and I do even if I had only known her for less than 24 hours. I told her she was a special girl and that nobody could tell her differently.
That is my prayer tonight. I especially pray this for Liviana, but I pray it for everyone out there. Whether we want to admit or not, we all need to know that we are loved and that we are special to someone. But my prayer is that we, as the daughters and sons of our Father in Heaven, could truly come to feel the unconditional love that he pours out on us abundantly. That Liviana and the other Livianas out there would know that they are a princess to their heavenly daddy. He knows every tear that you cry, every heartache that you have, every desire, fear, and as your portion, He is here to fufill them all. And for that, I give all the glory, honor and praise to my Lord, my Savior, my Father in heaven, my daddy.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
La Playa at San Juan Del Sur
San Juan Del Sur. This is the location of the most recent Survivor series and also home to one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Nicaragua. I have been working on getting my residency of Nicaragua, and that has turned out to be quite the process. The paper work that has to be done and the money that must be spent makes me want to crawl into a little ball and just forget about the whole thing. Well one day, a couple of weeks ago I was really discouraged. The people and the immigration and companies I had been going to looking for a job were just let down after let down (I guess that's the real world, huh?). Anyways, Douglas suggested that we go to San Juan del Sur, and I, of course, couldn't say no at the opportunity at the sun, sand and surf. Plus, as I said before, I love adventures and I knew this was going to be an unforgetable trip.
Well after packing ourselves a lunch box filled with snacks, Douglas went home early so we could both go to bed. I had to be outside and ready at 5 am to catch the bus. I know, I know. Most of you out there are thinking that that is an impossible task for this young gal who couldn't even get to her 8:30 classes on time. But I am here to say that Nicaragua has in some miraculous way changed my waking up habbits.
ANYwho, we got on a bus that went to Rivas (which was about 2 hours), then we caught another bus that took us to la playa :) Which you see below. The view was absolutely beautiful. My only complaint is that the sand here in Nica world isn't very soft and white, but the waters sure were blue, which made up for the sand. Here you can see the boats that were parked, or anchored, just a couple hundred feet inland.
Here you can see another view. There are some surrounding mountains, and some surfers. Apparently surfing is a popular activity at this beach. When we were walking from the bus stop to the beach we passed at least 3 or 4 places where I could have rented my own board for the day. This trip I held back, but next trip i will have a local teach me the trades of surfing.
So who can go to the beach without taking fun "beach pics?" I told Douglas to bring an extra white shirt and to find us a local to be our photographer. Well bless the guy who took the photos, but photography wasn't his God given talent, but I thought that this one turned out ok.
For lunch we went to this restaurant right on the shore. You could still hear the sound of the waves crashing on the shore, and the sea breeze flowing through your hair. We were sure excited to not be eating rice and beans for once (well I was at least). We ordered grilled fish, salad and french fries all for only $7 ... the Nicas say it's expensive but I say "BRING IT ON!"
Enjoying our time together. We were trying to pass the time by waiting on the food. I think a mixture of the long trip and the fun in the sun made our tummies extra hungry.
He was pretty excited too :)
.. and hansome, if I do say so myself.
SO there it is, our excursion to the beach at San Juan del Sur. It wasn't a long trip by any means, but it was just was the doctor ordered. And I was thankful to get to spend it with a special individual.
(Just thought I would let viewers know that I will blog very soon about my new job .. my homework for Monday is to take pictures so that I can post them. So stay tuned ..)
Hasta luego, Dios te Bendiga.
Monday, October 11, 2010
A Journey to Embark on
Blogging. It has recently occured to me that I think I would thoroughly enjoy the blogging experience. The opportunity to write down my thoughts, record my adventures, and let everyone else really get the first hand experience of entering the mind of Brittany Vick. I know it's probably been on everybody's bucket list, so with much pride and joy I would like to introduce to everyone my new blog: Vickeragua.
Vickeragua sounds so canny and peculiar, but so perfect for this stage of my life. I have always been known to be the girl who doesn't really live the "normal" life. Well, I take that back, I don't think anyone can live a normal life. But what I mean to convey is that I am a girl who desires adventure, challenges, and just a spice to this wonderful life that we have been given. My whole life has been filled with all of the above. Times of adventure, plenty of challenges, and just the right amount of spice to make me who I am today.
So to get back to the subject at hand, currently life has led me to live in Nicaragua, and I couldn't be more pleased. Granted, the form of life here in this 3rd world country of Central America is different and takes some getting used to, but the sacrifices are worth it when I get to fellowship with the Nicaraguans daily. I should also mention that in the midst of my many trips to Nica land, I have also entangled myself in a love story. His name is Douglas and he is wonderful. He is a native Nicaraguan, a man who loves Jesus with all that he is, and he can even cook too :0) (haha because we all know that cooking was not a gift God blessed me with).
ANYWhoo, life in Nicaragua. I wanted to use this blog as my opportunity to let my friends and family, and even stragglers that come along come and journey along with me. I do love Nicaragua and have a desire to reach out to this nation while I am here. It's sometimes draining both physically and spiritually, but with the strength of my God who is bigger and greater than all, anything is possible.
I will leave you with this thought. Yesterday was Sunday, my favorite day of the week because I just love going to Sunday Service. A lot of times I have a hard time really understanding the sermon, but the words of the songs that we sing always seem to touch my spirit. One of the first songs we sung was a song I've never sung before but it was simple: "Aleluyia." I quickly caught on to words and began to sing along. The words simply said: "Aleluyia, Aleluyia, Aleluyia a nuestro Dios," and that means Alelulyia to our God. I began to look around the church and it was a packed house. Ushers frantically carrying about positioning more and more chairs so that more and more people could come and worhsip. And when I saw the lips of men and women, children and adults, doing nothing but passionately singing those words over and over I was brought to tears. Our God is so big, and marvelous, and wonderful. What I saw last night was just a speck of how we will worship our Fahter face to face. But I am continually blessed to worship with my fellow Nicas.
Until next time, God Bless you.
Brittany
Vickeragua sounds so canny and peculiar, but so perfect for this stage of my life. I have always been known to be the girl who doesn't really live the "normal" life. Well, I take that back, I don't think anyone can live a normal life. But what I mean to convey is that I am a girl who desires adventure, challenges, and just a spice to this wonderful life that we have been given. My whole life has been filled with all of the above. Times of adventure, plenty of challenges, and just the right amount of spice to make me who I am today.
So to get back to the subject at hand, currently life has led me to live in Nicaragua, and I couldn't be more pleased. Granted, the form of life here in this 3rd world country of Central America is different and takes some getting used to, but the sacrifices are worth it when I get to fellowship with the Nicaraguans daily. I should also mention that in the midst of my many trips to Nica land, I have also entangled myself in a love story. His name is Douglas and he is wonderful. He is a native Nicaraguan, a man who loves Jesus with all that he is, and he can even cook too :0) (haha because we all know that cooking was not a gift God blessed me with).
ANYWhoo, life in Nicaragua. I wanted to use this blog as my opportunity to let my friends and family, and even stragglers that come along come and journey along with me. I do love Nicaragua and have a desire to reach out to this nation while I am here. It's sometimes draining both physically and spiritually, but with the strength of my God who is bigger and greater than all, anything is possible.
I will leave you with this thought. Yesterday was Sunday, my favorite day of the week because I just love going to Sunday Service. A lot of times I have a hard time really understanding the sermon, but the words of the songs that we sing always seem to touch my spirit. One of the first songs we sung was a song I've never sung before but it was simple: "Aleluyia." I quickly caught on to words and began to sing along. The words simply said: "Aleluyia, Aleluyia, Aleluyia a nuestro Dios," and that means Alelulyia to our God. I began to look around the church and it was a packed house. Ushers frantically carrying about positioning more and more chairs so that more and more people could come and worhsip. And when I saw the lips of men and women, children and adults, doing nothing but passionately singing those words over and over I was brought to tears. Our God is so big, and marvelous, and wonderful. What I saw last night was just a speck of how we will worship our Fahter face to face. But I am continually blessed to worship with my fellow Nicas.
Until next time, God Bless you.
Brittany
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