Continuing the recap of my summer mission trip to Croatia...
So landing finally in the country of Croatia first coming to a stop in the capital city of Zagreb for about an hour before completing the trip heading towards my destination of Varazdin. I'm mean just the scenery looked around the city felt a whole lot different. Me and my teammate for this mission trip Rod came off the plane meeting Mladen the pastor of the church one there and one of Rod's readers who came last summer Vesna.
To wrap up kind of a long flight over from the US to the states the third leg of the trip was a little bit rowdy, lol. Sitting not all the way in the back but close to back where I can hear all of the little ones (babies) I guess taking care of business in a funny way...
Back to the scenery, well I didn't think that countries would have their own highways but they do, lol. There is maybe a sight difference with the highways in Croatia than in the states and then of course you got the language which is Croatian. The first few weeks of the trip I had ice cream. Haha, no I didn't just have ice cream, I had gelato which is just a bit different from ice cream but hey it is still ice cream same thing. Also, with that I met the rest of Mladen's family during the rest of the first week there. I was pretty active trying to get used to living in whole different country.
The readers that I gotten a chance to work with with on this project this summer were really good. It was a blessing to have the chance to get to know all of my readers, work with them and have the opportunity to get to know them outside of the reading sessions as well. I enjoy my time with all of them. I started off with about 13 readers some of them made it all the way until the end of some others just waited until the fall for another chance to work on their English. To wrap this part of the trip up here are the names of some of the my readers that work with in Croatia.
Readers and Shoutouts to...
Dejana
Nada
Dario
Dubravka
Mladen F.
Natasha
Ivanka
Jasmika
Ljubimka
Goran
Valentina
Vanja
*EG3
(To Be Continued)
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Chapter #53 The Road to Croatia (Part 1)
It has been a while folks, but I'm back this time from a much different location. I'm sitting in the church office here Varadzin, Croatia where I have been on this project called Let's Start Talking for nearly a month now. Yes, that is in Europe a much different country than the US. This will be the first of 4 posts from this trip as I begin to approach the end of the project here in Europe which has definitely been really awesome experience so far. But I will start from the beginning and I guess go from there...
About 10 days after classes at K-State ended for me, I was about to be on my way out of the country, to a different place where I haven't been. At this point I'm way, way in over my head, lol. Getting ready to leave was the toughest part I think because there was a few things that I was uncertain at the time and some final decisions had to be made.
The first mark was going to Kansas City, MO where Lane Mills one of the elder's from the church that I go to took our KSU Team which is myself and teammate Rod Howell who has been to many of these types of international projects made one stop to get something eat and then ended up at the airport.
Got to the airport 2 hours early exactly how we planned it. From there got on the plane and had to wait almost an hour delay because of some mechanical issue. Kansas City International and myself don't really get along well, haha. Why, 2 summers ago on my very 1st flight on an airplane the delay was 2 hours because it was raining very heavily at the time and I still remember all of us being on the plane ready to takeoff and all of a sudden it pours and I kind of start to freak out inside.
Now this the second time flying on the plane and I have to say that I'm still not comfortable being high up in the air but I was much, much calmer. We finally left KC and took off toward Chicago. And we landed in Chicago after just hour of the plane ride.
The next mark was going to be the longest one yet. In Chicago, Illinois at the O'Hare International Airport for about 2 hours getting prepared for my 1st international trip out of the US I didn't realize airport had bigger plane or I should say "space" on these types of flights. And, man when I got on this German airplane to get ready to fly on out to Germany where my next stop is I was pretty amazed at the plane itself. Off I flew into the night and out the US where I'm about to embark on history.
*To Be Continued
EG3
About 10 days after classes at K-State ended for me, I was about to be on my way out of the country, to a different place where I haven't been. At this point I'm way, way in over my head, lol. Getting ready to leave was the toughest part I think because there was a few things that I was uncertain at the time and some final decisions had to be made.
The first mark was going to Kansas City, MO where Lane Mills one of the elder's from the church that I go to took our KSU Team which is myself and teammate Rod Howell who has been to many of these types of international projects made one stop to get something eat and then ended up at the airport.
Got to the airport 2 hours early exactly how we planned it. From there got on the plane and had to wait almost an hour delay because of some mechanical issue. Kansas City International and myself don't really get along well, haha. Why, 2 summers ago on my very 1st flight on an airplane the delay was 2 hours because it was raining very heavily at the time and I still remember all of us being on the plane ready to takeoff and all of a sudden it pours and I kind of start to freak out inside.
Now this the second time flying on the plane and I have to say that I'm still not comfortable being high up in the air but I was much, much calmer. We finally left KC and took off toward Chicago. And we landed in Chicago after just hour of the plane ride.
The next mark was going to be the longest one yet. In Chicago, Illinois at the O'Hare International Airport for about 2 hours getting prepared for my 1st international trip out of the US I didn't realize airport had bigger plane or I should say "space" on these types of flights. And, man when I got on this German airplane to get ready to fly on out to Germany where my next stop is I was pretty amazed at the plane itself. Off I flew into the night and out the US where I'm about to embark on history.
*To Be Continued
EG3
Monday, May 20, 2013
Chapter #52 Closing In On Big Time Goal; Mission International
Well, folks my last "full" year of college at Kansas State has come to a close. Just one semester is left standing between me and getting my second college degree and then some in the state of Kansas. What a journey it has been for me school wise I can taste the end. I really didn't see college on my radar screen and now coming up to this point I can see the end of my college career. It will all come to a close in December, lord willing. I still got a monster summer right around the corner some 7 days from now. A lot of things happen new things, new friends, relationships getting more closer and closer things of that nature. Hopefully during the summer I can recap my favorite moments just I like did for the fall semester but my hands will be full. I can't wait see what God has in store. Now, that finals are done and at the rear view mirror it's time to take on the next stage. Clearly, I think this is the big challenge for me, more so than Juneau just two summers ago.
Preview: Croatia
For those of you who are wondering, yes I will be keeping this blog updated on my mission trip to Varazdin, Croatia. Even though I have not been up to date with blogging much, I will be keeping tabs this summer...this is one again through an organization called Let's Start Talking program (LST). I will be leaving the Untied States for the 1st time of a little over a month until July 8th before I head back to the states. Then afterward I'm planning on going back to Juneau for some down time with friends from two years ago. It will all start next Monday afternoon, oh man! A lot of things are going through my mind now with this trip and even some other stuff outside of it. Juneau still to this point has been the best trip but I'm anxious to see how this summer cards unfold. For some reason I feel like I'm prepared with all the training from LST to go over there and do God's work. The next I post about this I will be in another country, Europe...
This is the second time flying so and I'm going over there with my teammate Rod Howell who have been to a lot these LST trips. Do I have a game plan not really but I do know what to do, once I have arrive in Europe will see how the cards fall. Some of the anxious part is just getting over and meeting the readers that I'm going to be helping for the next 6 weeks, looking forward to it. Pray for our trip over to Europe and also keep praying for other things like what happen down in Moore/OKC, other people who are traveling just keep those folks in mind. Time to take on this challenge...
Stay Cool,
EG3
Preview: Croatia
For those of you who are wondering, yes I will be keeping this blog updated on my mission trip to Varazdin, Croatia. Even though I have not been up to date with blogging much, I will be keeping tabs this summer...this is one again through an organization called Let's Start Talking program (LST). I will be leaving the Untied States for the 1st time of a little over a month until July 8th before I head back to the states. Then afterward I'm planning on going back to Juneau for some down time with friends from two years ago. It will all start next Monday afternoon, oh man! A lot of things are going through my mind now with this trip and even some other stuff outside of it. Juneau still to this point has been the best trip but I'm anxious to see how this summer cards unfold. For some reason I feel like I'm prepared with all the training from LST to go over there and do God's work. The next I post about this I will be in another country, Europe...
This is the second time flying so and I'm going over there with my teammate Rod Howell who have been to a lot these LST trips. Do I have a game plan not really but I do know what to do, once I have arrive in Europe will see how the cards fall. Some of the anxious part is just getting over and meeting the readers that I'm going to be helping for the next 6 weeks, looking forward to it. Pray for our trip over to Europe and also keep praying for other things like what happen down in Moore/OKC, other people who are traveling just keep those folks in mind. Time to take on this challenge...
Stay Cool,
EG3
Monday, May 6, 2013
Chapter #51: May Change
This month is suppose to be a month of change...well at the very least the weather. The first week in a half already I've have seen my share of cold weather. You know it's funny because we are in the spring season and the folks out here in the middle of Kansas (almost) are getting for the summer with trips, jobs, other activities and so forth. Being in the state of Kansas for almost now 5 years coming up in a week and a half, yes for some reason I've gotten used to this burial cold weather now but for some odd reason it's STILL cold in Manhattan...for now. But things should get warmed up really soon. With that been said, things for me are about to come to a reality; my last full year at Kansas State coming to a close with a semester remaining plus embarking on another summer journey I mean things are about to get crazy in a good way. More to come in the upcoming weeks about my adventure but for now I just need to be in the moment and focus on the now and to finish the year on a strong note. Seems to be my strong point anyway. Taking half the credit hours turned out to workout for the best for me. And I have made things a lot easier for myself getting enrolled in my last 9 hours of classes this August. Still got some work to do not much at far the fall semester of 2013 goes but everything it looking good. I never thought I would be saying this but I'm getting closer, and closer to another graduation. About another 7 months. I can start the countdown after this semester wraps up on May 18th.
Stay Cool,
EG3
Stay Cool,
EG3
Monday, April 29, 2013
Chapter #50: The Leprechaun
Just about a month and a half ago during Fake Patty's Day...yes I said Fake Patty's Day. Its totally different day for college students across the US to come to Aggieville and just flat out drink. I wasn't doing that at all but I have a chance to participate in something else. I was elected by I guess group vote in a staff meeting for KSDB radio station Wildcat 91.9 that I'm apart of plus I'm on staff as well. My friends wanted me to be that guy to be the person in green. So, on pretty much on a day which it was kinda rainy day to begin with. Early on there wasn't much in the streets of Manhattan where Aggieville is located but as it approach mid day students began to get out and about...
The contest that I was apart of in why I was dress up as a well leprechaun. It was find the Wildcat 91.9 leprechaun and you could win tickets to a concert of your choice. It took awhile but if I remember correctly her name, Kristen from Lawrence, Kansas found me after an hour and a half almost but it was really fun just to wonder the streets in the green costume. I was not walking alone though, me and Caitlin where there for most of it and then late came Jared. It was a lot fun just to move and meet some interesting folks who came out and stayed out there enjoying themselves until they threw in the towel I'm saying that kindly. Fake Patty's Day is NOT the real thing St. Patrick's Day is but being around K-State for almost 3 years now it is a quite an interesting tradition. Big S/O to my friends at Wildcat 91.9 for the nomination, it was awesome!
Featuring:
Caitlin
Jared
Stay Cool,
EG3
The contest that I was apart of in why I was dress up as a well leprechaun. It was find the Wildcat 91.9 leprechaun and you could win tickets to a concert of your choice. It took awhile but if I remember correctly her name, Kristen from Lawrence, Kansas found me after an hour and a half almost but it was really fun just to wonder the streets in the green costume. I was not walking alone though, me and Caitlin where there for most of it and then late came Jared. It was a lot fun just to move and meet some interesting folks who came out and stayed out there enjoying themselves until they threw in the towel I'm saying that kindly. Fake Patty's Day is NOT the real thing St. Patrick's Day is but being around K-State for almost 3 years now it is a quite an interesting tradition. Big S/O to my friends at Wildcat 91.9 for the nomination, it was awesome!
Featuring:
Caitlin
Jared
Stay Cool,
EG3
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Chapter #49: Big 12 Tournament 2013
Just almost two weeks now from been at my 2nd Big 12 tournament of course last I went to my 1st conference tourney in Kansas City where the Kansas State Wildcats basketball team lost to the Baylor Bears in the first round when Frank Martin was the head coach. This trip was different in the fact of a new coach, same team, and different result.
Texas: I should mention that I didn't go up to KC just as a fan; I was there working/representing for my radio station the Wildcat 91.9 and I call the 1st round game between K-State and Texas which saw K-State go off to a slow start before the offense for the Cats got going and pulled away from the Longhorns. They beat twice in the regular season and pretty much swept Texas 66-49 in the 1st round. With good performances from Rodney, Angel, and a spark off the bench by DJ Johnson the Cats moved on to night #2 of the Big 12 tourney.
Oklahoma State: I worked the Social Media side of things for this the semifinal game between the Cowboys in which this was also the 3rd meeting that these teams Ok. State and K-State have met with the previous meeting in Stillwater that the Cowboys prevailed led by LaBryan Nash but here in the tourney it was a different story. A K-State run towards the end of the 1st half and defense that keyed on Nash and Marcus Smart the Big 12 player of the year and the Cats got some payback winning 68-57 over Oklahoma State to advance to the championship round Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez led the way once again even big man off the bench this time Thomas Gipson.
Kansas: There was one little surprise coming into the Sprint Center in Kansas City before the game with all of the teams that have been eliminated from the tourney our crew had the oppurtunity to call the game from front row which means basically courtside in basketball. And man, what a view from down there with me being the color commentator for this one just the view from the floor is a lot more different from up to in the arena and with lot of pretty much KU fans it was a pack house. And from what we saw Kansas once again put the clamps on K-State and took home the conference tournament in a great performance 70-54. And for the third straight game this season, the Jayhawks defeated the Cats. It's been the same old story here lately which becomes a question will K-State be up to a competition level wit KU?? I can't even answer that one. The Jayhawks every year seem to be the team to beat. Overall, being in KC for the weekend was another great experience.
Stay Cool,
EG3
Texas: I should mention that I didn't go up to KC just as a fan; I was there working/representing for my radio station the Wildcat 91.9 and I call the 1st round game between K-State and Texas which saw K-State go off to a slow start before the offense for the Cats got going and pulled away from the Longhorns. They beat twice in the regular season and pretty much swept Texas 66-49 in the 1st round. With good performances from Rodney, Angel, and a spark off the bench by DJ Johnson the Cats moved on to night #2 of the Big 12 tourney.
Oklahoma State: I worked the Social Media side of things for this the semifinal game between the Cowboys in which this was also the 3rd meeting that these teams Ok. State and K-State have met with the previous meeting in Stillwater that the Cowboys prevailed led by LaBryan Nash but here in the tourney it was a different story. A K-State run towards the end of the 1st half and defense that keyed on Nash and Marcus Smart the Big 12 player of the year and the Cats got some payback winning 68-57 over Oklahoma State to advance to the championship round Rodney McGruder and Angel Rodriguez led the way once again even big man off the bench this time Thomas Gipson.
Kansas: There was one little surprise coming into the Sprint Center in Kansas City before the game with all of the teams that have been eliminated from the tourney our crew had the oppurtunity to call the game from front row which means basically courtside in basketball. And man, what a view from down there with me being the color commentator for this one just the view from the floor is a lot more different from up to in the arena and with lot of pretty much KU fans it was a pack house. And from what we saw Kansas once again put the clamps on K-State and took home the conference tournament in a great performance 70-54. And for the third straight game this season, the Jayhawks defeated the Cats. It's been the same old story here lately which becomes a question will K-State be up to a competition level wit KU?? I can't even answer that one. The Jayhawks every year seem to be the team to beat. Overall, being in KC for the weekend was another great experience.
Stay Cool,
EG3
Friday, March 8, 2013
Chapter #48: Showdown City- #9 Kansas State vs. #13 Oklahoma State
The final regular season game final Big 12 game will on Saturday afternoon where the Cats will be either a #1 or #2 seed depending on the outcome of both of these games. Meanwhile Kansas will be on the road taking on Baylor in the night game the Bears are really struggling and looks they won't make the tourney unless they somehow, someway knockoff KU which would with a K-State win the Cats get the regular season title. But once again, the Jayhawks have the inside track to the title again. A veteran squad led by McGruder and company look to close out the season on a very high note down in Stillwater, OK against Marcus Smart and the Cowboys. I think this game goes down to the wire unless one of these teams does not show up, I doubt that. Too much is riding on this game; K-State winners of 10 of it's last 11 games and on a mission it looks like. 12:30pm in Stillwater, OK
Green-White-Checkered
Green: Bruce Weber Style
Bruce Weber has this K-State that I have seen all year playing at a high level. Early on it didn't look very good at all this Wildcat team playing very well right now. Even if the team does not Will in this game which I haven't heard anything yet on that...Rodney, Angel, Shane, Martavious and co look continue their play against Oklahoma State in a tough environment.
White: Marcus Smart
One of the talented Freshman in the College Basketball this year and in the Big 12 averaging 14 points look from him to play a huge role in the game along the usual cast of characters Markel Brown, La' Bryan Nash and even Phil Forte from the 3-point line.
Checkered: Last Meeting- 73-67 Kansas State in Manhattan
Rodney McGruder was the difference in the game clearly put up 2 different halfs. The 2nd half is where it counted for the Cats as Rodney went off. For the game McGruder had 28 points in this one while Nino Williams added in 17. If Cats gets that from Big time Rod in the season finale the Cats will be sitting right there on top. Marcus Smart had 25 points. Will this be a repeat?? It's possible but I see Rodney getting close to 20 points again. He will need more help from his teammates if their winning in Stillwater. Big question, is Spradling playing? Will find out; I'm not give a score prediction but this will be tight game for 40 minutes but I will say the Cats have a shot to win this game.
Stay Cool,
EG3
Green-White-Checkered
Green: Bruce Weber Style
Bruce Weber has this K-State that I have seen all year playing at a high level. Early on it didn't look very good at all this Wildcat team playing very well right now. Even if the team does not Will in this game which I haven't heard anything yet on that...Rodney, Angel, Shane, Martavious and co look continue their play against Oklahoma State in a tough environment.
White: Marcus Smart
One of the talented Freshman in the College Basketball this year and in the Big 12 averaging 14 points look from him to play a huge role in the game along the usual cast of characters Markel Brown, La' Bryan Nash and even Phil Forte from the 3-point line.
Checkered: Last Meeting- 73-67 Kansas State in Manhattan
Rodney McGruder was the difference in the game clearly put up 2 different halfs. The 2nd half is where it counted for the Cats as Rodney went off. For the game McGruder had 28 points in this one while Nino Williams added in 17. If Cats gets that from Big time Rod in the season finale the Cats will be sitting right there on top. Marcus Smart had 25 points. Will this be a repeat?? It's possible but I see Rodney getting close to 20 points again. He will need more help from his teammates if their winning in Stillwater. Big question, is Spradling playing? Will find out; I'm not give a score prediction but this will be tight game for 40 minutes but I will say the Cats have a shot to win this game.
Stay Cool,
EG3
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