Baffled

As is the usual question when we pack up our lives:

Where did all this stuff come from???

Seriously, I thought we were careful about not acquiring too much when we were here, and we are giving away a ton of clothes, and both mom and dad took stuff home with them when they came, yet we still don't have enough space! I don't know what happened.

Also, it is really difficult to do all the last minute laundry for cleaning and packing when you don't have a dryer.

A Year in Pictures

August:

September:

October:

November:

December:

January:

For some reason, there weren't many....

February:

March:

April:

May:

June:

July:

Reflections

Today is our last day in Prague, and it is simply impossible to believe. In the same way that it was surreal when we first arrived, it is now surreal that we are leaving. In many ways, I simply can not believe it. I do not feel it, nothing has really set in. Just today and yesterday have I started to wrap my mind around it, but I still do not feel it. Many people have asked if we feel sad, and I know I will be once it hits me, and who knows when that will be - perhaps after we get back home.

Nevertheless, I have been doing a lot of thinking about our year here, and I feel incredibly blessed that we had this opportunity of countless experiences.

They say that there are 4 stages of culture shock: excitement, withdrawal, adjustment, and enthusiasm.

Excitement: A holiday or honeymoon period regarding the new surroundings

August - October

Right away, there was loads to be excited about. Naturally the big one was my getting to be back in Prague and getting to roam these beautiful streets again, but there were many more new and exciting things: settling into our flat, new job, new friends, starting youth group. Everyday was filled with things to do, people were open and generous with their invitations to join in.

Withdrawal: after getting more time with the culture, one begins to find it strange, different, and frustrating

November (perhaps only November)

This arrival of this stage coincided with the cold, perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not. I remember my first and only breakdown. It was November 1st - the night of my cousin's wedding. I am not sure if there was a connection, but I think the idea of my entire family getting together and celebrating and my not being able to be a part of it probably didn't help. I really don't remember what triggered it, but Jace and I were in the kitchen, and I just started sobbing. I felt entirely homesick and frustrated. I remember feeling frustrated at the fact that seemingly easy tasks like going to the grocery store or the post office were often difficult. We also had the beginnings of our struggles with Jace's Visa, and feeling some of the financial pangs from mine.

Fortunately, November was also the month when we enjoyed our first visitors, our first trip unrelated to a Visa, and the first snow. (I found the cold much more bearable with some snow to enjoy)

Adjustment: A routine begins, and one feels more settled and confident

December - February? (not so sure when this one ends and the next one begins)

I think we also may have experienced another "excitement" section of culture shock because in this time we had many visitors and trips - Sean and Aubrey and our trip to Paris in November; Dad and Ruth and our Christmas trip to Germany and Switzerland; our Moms and the trip to Vienna. This was easily a time of rich blessings and experiences. Also, Jace's visa is mostly settled by this point, I've started Czech lessons in November, we both really enjoy our jobs. It was definitely a huge help that I had my Dad here for Christmas and my Mom here right around my birthday, otherwise, I suspect that the withdrawal stage would have lasted longer.

Enthusiasm: one feels at home, and in some ways prefers the new culture

February - July

The transition from the prior stage to this one was quite fluid, it is difficult to pinpoint when one ended and one began, and I suspect that it was gradual and in bits and pieces.

My confidence in using the language has grown, I can buy credit on my phone using only Czech (which includes giving my phone number), we've eaten at restaurants that have Czech-only menus, the post office is a much less scary place (though still intimidating at times).

Dare I say it: I even like the food, though that has pretty much always been the case.

We have gotten expert at using the public transportation, even using a website to give us exact connection times and details.

Even though it feels more like home now, I think part of me is shifting back into withdrawal (and perhaps this is just the pregnancy) where I miss some of the conveniences of home. And I had some withdrawal in March when it was still snowing at times.

All in all, I think I feel ready to be back at home, though it is difficult to say good-bye and I know that I will miss Prague greatly.

Baby's 2nd photo

We went back to the doctor today for one last check-up before leaving. Jace got to go with me, so he could see our little baby on the sonogram, it was really something special.

You could clearly see the head and the baby moving his (or her) little hands and feet. The doctor says everything looks good and healthy and the baby is growing right on time, He measured at 2.5 centimeters!

Good Morning Praha

As planned, Jace and I woke up at 4:30 to go to the bridge and watch the sunrise. It was wonderful! Unfortunately, it wasn't as empty as I had hoped - some people were definitely strolling home from the bar, and some scaffolding on the bridge (which has been there all year) obscured some good views, but it was still calm and peaceful, and dare I say, romantic.

Not on the bridge, but around the corner from it, a Czech flag symbolizing the wars that the Czech Republic was involved in.

An edit, to match the photo on the top of our blog (which I also took and edited)

The bane of my existence (at least while on the bridge)

Vysehrad

Jace and I had a lovely evening tonight. We went up to Vysehrad (one of my favorite places in Prague - its up on a hill overlooking the city) and had a picnic dinner. Then we stayed for the sunset, and before it got completely dark, walked along the river for most of the way home.

I was struck yet again by how picturesque this place is, and I will never forget it, and try not to take it for granted while still here.

Cathedral and sun through the trees

If you look close, you can see the castle right above Jace's head.

Tomorrow we will try and get up at sunrise to enjoy old

town and the Charles Bridge in its early morning peace and

emptiness.

Karlstejn

Since Jace and I finished our jobs on Friday, we have this week to clean, pack, and get our last bits of Prague. We had never been to Karlstejn, which is a town with a castle hardly more than a 30 minute train ride from Prague. So we went today. Too bad the castle was closed :(. We still had a nice little trip though, and it was fun. The weather barely held out, but it did not rain on us!

We also have a few more plans for the rest of the week. It is really hard to believe that all this is almost over (but with new adventures to start!)

First Appointment

All went well, the doctor said the baby is healthy and developing normally.

Here is our first photo:

Souvenir

It seems that when we return from Prague, that this blog will continue - with a makeover and a new name.

It will be called: McCain from Prague because that is what we will be bringing home [at least eventually :) ]

Jace got a first Father's day gift:

Obviously, I made it myself.

All in all, I've been feeling pretty good. Pretty tired, and slightly queasy at times, but fortunately, no puking.

Coming Home

After months of debating, deciding, flip-flopping, and agonizing, we have made our decision to come home. Obviously there were a number of factors to weigh, and at one point, I even made a list, and though the decision was tough, we feel a peace about it. That being said, we will miss Prague terribly, and the people in it. We made some good friends while we were here, and will take some great memories home with us.

We have been asked many times if we are looking forward to going home, and some people ask if we are excited to leave Prague. The answer depends in the wording of the question: Yes, we are looking forward to be back at home, with our loved ones, many of whom we haven't seen in almost a year. But no, we are not excited to leave Prague, and I don't think we will be quite ready for it when it happens.

The game plan:

Finish work around the 17th of July

Leave for Greece on the 25th (I am beyond excited for this trip - 10 days in Thessaloniki, Athens, and Santorini)

Leave Greece for Frankfurt on Aug. 4th

Standby for home beginning Aug. 4th - we hope to be home by the 5th or 6th at the latest.

When mom was here, she took a lot of our belongings home, so we should only have to travel with carry-ons and our big backpacks. It looks like it should work.

And prayers are much appreciated on the Job search front. We have been applying quite a bit, and no responses, but we have faith that God is going to provide, and prayers are still appreciated. The transition back home is going to be a big one.