SLI

July/SLI was very busy!  The weeks were full of activities...an all campus BBQ, a pancake dinner, multiple karaoke events, two dance parties, a coffee/craft evening, games, worship, shopping, and learning English! The Residence Life staff tried to make sure that the students didn't have much of an opportunity to get bored.  I think they succeeded!  :)  

Here are a few photos from SLI.  (Sorry I was too busy at each event to catch much of it on film.)  

All of the faculty & staff who were a part of SLI 2012!

Our fabulous RA team!

The closing ceremony!

Making jam!

While I was at home this summer one of my friends made jam and posted about it on Facebook.  I was inspired to make jam myself, but knew I couldn't transport freezer jam back across the ocean.  So instead of making it then I bought some sure-jell and brought it back to Lithuania with me.  I went to the market one Saturday and bought fresh strawberries to make jam with.  It turned out delicious (if I do say so myself!) and I shared several jars with other expats here at LCC.  It was a lot of fun to make and has been even more fun to eat!  :)

Happy Birthday, America!

Today is the 4th of July!  America's Independence Day!  I wouldn't say that I am an overly patriotic person, but I do appreciate the privileges that being and American brights into my life - especially now that I live abroad.  Today was not my first time being out of the country for the 4th, but this was the time that I celebrated the most.  I dressed in red, white, and blue (even wearing an American flag scarf - that I had received free at Dress Barn last year on the 4th!)  At the morning coffee break someone spontaneously broke out into the National Anthem and the rest of us joined in - kind of a funny moment in comparison to being at Goshen College for many years where it was such a controversial song!  :)

For my RD meeting tonight I made an apple crisp (didn't quite have time in my busy day to make an all American apple pie!).  My team of American RDs enjoyed the sweet treat!

Kaitlyn, Alisha, and Josh

and here's me in my American pride attire from today!  :)

Sunday afternoon - Orvydu Sodyba

The final stop on our tour of the Lithuanian countryside was an outdoor sculpture park called "Orvydu Sodyba."  It is full of art that is made from mainly natural or found objects - much of it religious in nature.  It was an odd place, yet quite peaceful.

the coat of arms of the family that owns the museum

me with an old soviet tank

simple beauty

piles of little rocks

praising God!

a lovely scene

Marlene

me

beautiful

iron crosses

And on the way home I tried to capture the beauty of the Lithuanian countryside, but this photo just doesn't do it justice!

Sunday afternoon - Salantai

As Marlene and I continued our leisurely afternoon tour of the countryside we happened upon the town of Salantai.  We found another gorgeous old church to take photos of there...

Jesus - man of sorrows

church doors

I love the angles and colors in this photo

looking up...reminds me of Psalm 121:1-2

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord,

the Maker of heaven and earth."

can't get enough of that sky!

self portrait!  :)

Sunday afternoon - Darbenai

Sunday afternoon Marlene and I went on a Sunday drive to explore the Lithuanian countryside.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  It was warm, but not hot.  It was just a perfect day for such an adventure.  Our first stop was in a little town called Darbenai.  We saw a lovely church in as we entered the town, so we pulled over to take some photos of it.  As we were taking photos we heard music playing in the distance and decided to follow the music to see what was going on.  We happened upon a little outdoor muge (or fair) in the middle of a field.  There was a stage set up where local (I presume) singers were singing.  Around the perimeter of the field there were little booths of artisans selling their wares.  And, of course, there was a food area.  We walked around the artisan booths and bought a delicious dinner of sausage and cabbage.  It was so fun that we just "happened upon" this festive afternoon!

one of the crosses on the church lawn

the church was gorgeous against the summer sky

wouldn't this scene make a great puzzle?!

lithuanians enjoying their sausages and alus (beer)

the food booths with a blow up bouncy castle in the background

my delicious lunch!

the muge

Long days

I was not here fro the longest day of the year (that was last week), but I am here for some seriously long days!  Sunset was at 10:23 tonight and dusk was at 11:23.  Crazy, right?!

This photo was taken out my front window at 11:15 tonight.  

Mighty bright for that late at night, isn't it?!

And this photo was taken at 4:15 this morning.

Jet-lag gives you some interesting photo opportunities, doesn't it?!