Merlin86's Xanga

My Interesting Life

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:59:38 GMT

Today is my birthday. I now can officially wear Michael Jordan's shirt, if I would have it. Actually, I would like to have it[hint!] =0)

Well, but this is not what I wanted to write here. Since I'm keeping my Estonian blog, I haven't written here for a long time. Just to make it clear - this blog here is for my friends, who are not from Estonia, that they would have a chance to keep on track of my activities... =0) For those, who are really interested in my life and doings;)

So, what has happened lately in my life?! Remember, I wrote about going to Turkey. I was thinking about that already in springtime (as soon as I got back from Poland), but I didn't know yet when exactly I will go..maybe in August... but it turned out that I had a chance to see this country in October. So. Now I have been home for almost two weeks and still I haven't given you any overview about this trip. Sorry! 'm still trying to accept the reality that I'm here.

The seminar where I went was part of Youth In Action Program (Action 1.3 Democracy Project) called "We Owned Our Rights".The dates were from 17th to 22nd of October. It was about the right of the disabled people that are written in UN Convention. Rights that they have, but.. well yeah... There were about 40 people from Turkey, Poland and Estonia. I will try(!) to give you a short summary about it. In my Estonian blog I have 4 entries about it (not short ones). We'll see how it comes out.

My trip started on 15th of October. So I, Marko and Mattias came to Riga's arirport on that evening by bus.
We were there around ten in the evening. Our flight was leaving around 8 in the morning. As soon as we found a quiet corner, I taught boys to play Nertz. Bouda soon joined us, who is from Kenya, is working in London and lives in Paris. Soon Nawid felt the interest of this game. He is from Pakistan, lives in the Netherlands, and was going to Norway to visit her sister. And so there we were playing... I hope that I didn't turn anyone into addict. But anyway, when we finally decided to end the game it was almost four in the morning. Guys fell asleep and I stood guarding them. Soon other Estonians came.

We had small stop in Prague and then we reached to Istanbul. Wow! Istanbul. We had long landing time and I saw the Istanbul . Wow! So great! So beautiful! As soon as I got out of the plane I got to feel many times this so called "culture shock". Then we had quite adventurous bus trip to Mersin, which took us 15 hours to drive. And then we reached finally to people with whom we were meant to meet. So in total it took us 45 hours to come from Tartu to Mersin (it can be done shorter way also! Some of the Estonians took the shorter way but arrived on the next day). On the way there I saw things that I have seen in movies, but only this time it was for real.And it was so nice to be there where the temperature is around 30 all the time. We were staying in a small town called Kizkalesi, in a hostel Inka, which was just on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

There, during these 6 days, we got to know each other better- the culture, language and people. Got to know more about the situation with disabled people in our own countries and in other countries; learned how to make a campaign and got our first experience how to actually run the campaign.We did it in groups and our group went to Kizkalesi's school. Here's a video from that day. Now we're actually planning another campaign in Tartu. We'll have time till almost the end of December to pull it through. I'm excited about that! Also, we had fun day on the sea and in the Maiden's Castle - "The Yacht Day". But if I could bring out one of my favorite things that we did there, i would say The AllStars game that we played on the beach - Basketball disabled way. Besides the heros of this seminar, who were in their wheelchairs, all who played got "disability" for that time. I, for example, was with one eye covered, but there were people with one hand or one leg... it was pretty interesting game and got attention from other people on the beach also. But... it kinda opened my mind to another "dimension". It's so weird that I have lived that long and not thought this way or seen these things.. or just... oh it's hard to say. I can say that after this game I needed to take "me time" to think about that experience that i lived through...

And the it was time to leave. Still, we spend a half day in town of Mersin, visiting one of the largest malls in Europe and went to open market. I made a mess by getting kinda "lost", but i had fun.
It was quite hard for me to leave, 'cause I was already so fond of these people...

I just have to go back someday!

Then we went back to Istanbul for two days and one night. Did some shopping there and sightseeing. It's very beautiful town. Weird that it takes only 10 min.max to get from Europe to Asia (over the river). Oh, and by the way our group got into the media also there.. (not doing anything bad:D)

So, the next stop was Prague, where we had to stay for 18 hours. We got together with Maike's friend who showed the town and gave us a place to sleep. And then.. Riga.. and then.. Tartu.

...I tried to write it shortly.. I left out so many things, but i hope I gave you some idea what I lived through. :)

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 07:06:19 GMT

"You give and take away. Blessed be Your Name!"

Season started..

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:49:38 GMT

School has begun. SO much to do in so few time. I won't give your overview of my school stuff(yet), but believe me when I say that if I manage to do everything that I have to, then I have conquered myself. Well, still... it's my last semester in Viljandi... Still can't believe - four years have passed by so quickly.
News: I work now in two different schools with three different groups.One is still in Viljandi and now I also work in Tartu Art Gymnasium as a drama teacher for kids from1st to 3rd grade and with youth in middle school there. So far I like it =0)
Also I' m planning to go to Turkey really soon: next month. I already bought the plane tickets. I'm going to one of those trainings again like I went to Poland at the beginning of this year. This time it's bigger and it's in Mersin. I can't wait to get there :) To see some faces whom i haven't seen for a while..
But now I really have to pull myself together and start doing my schoolwork!

The Start Of Something New..

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:07:20 GMT

I have keeping my Estonian "diary" (blog) for a while now and i quess that's the reason I haven't updated here lately much...

I haven't told you about my last camp which was at the end of August in Kloogaranna.. It was swimming camp. Yes, I was in a swimming camp:) And survived that, although I don't like swimming and beach life at all. The best part is that I was a counselor there:) I and Triin, who is almost the same age as I, watched over kids and put together the whole camp schedule. It was fun! I learned much about myself... and others, actually... There's a big chance that I will do that there next year again. Well, manager asked me about that.. so, we'll see.

Today is the traditional day here in Estonia where lot of young students go to school for the very first day. They will have opening ceremony where they will get their first A-b-c book. Also they will give flowers to their very first teacher...
And this is not first school day only for first graders: new school year started in university also. True, we don't give flowers or get some new books, but we still will have a start of something new...

My classes start tomorrow - "Theater-today and yesterday". I thought that I won't have very busy schedule this semester. I was wrong. We'll see how I manage to get all my plans to come true. But I really feel that I need this "The start of something new..." soon!
I wounder, what it should/could be?

Lonely Wolf?

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:18:20 GMT

I have counted myself as a lonely wolf for a long time. I like to be alone. Really. I know, lot of you count me as a people person. But I love to be alone a lot! But sometimes I'm still sad because of this. But then He sends someone beside me, sometimes just for a second, to let me know that I'm not alone. Today, when I was walking and my mind was wondering on blue road, I got a rose from Him. It seemed to me that the person, who gave me that rose actually didn't understand what he was doing. But I got the message from Him: I can't never be a lonely wolf, because He is always with me. Keeping away from a blue road...

He's taking care of me:) Yesterday He gave me a long distance call from a good friend and chance to see Jaime and Geoff and to get hugs from them. Today a rose and nice talk with Brandi. Tomorrow...

S u m m e r !

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:30:31 GMT

Less than a month and school starts again. My last –fourth- year in collage. One semester more (till January) and then some months in school working as a trainee of leisure-time manager and then… God knows what will happen then. I have some options, but I will wait and see what He wants me to do, since He led me to Viljandi to study there – I didn’t plan that!

So far I have had awesome summer ! After the camp LST Team stayed in Tallinn for a month. Andrea, Deanna, Jill and Crystal. I got to spend some time with them and I am very thankful for this. Amazing, how small the world actually is. They are from Canada – thousands of miles away from us, and during these four years(I am four years old) I have seen Deanna and Andrea three summers. He is good! I have to mention this again, that thanks to these girls I found God. And now I got to meet also with barbie girl – Chrystal and doctor Jill! Canadians are fun people. We got to meet with Leah and Graig also and they proved it! Now we have to start working on next year plans – bringing LST team to Tartu!

Besides that I visited Tallinn’s Open Air Museum, which it really liked. One of my teachers works there and we supposed to have some lectures there, but somehow things didn’t worked out. But I am really glad that I finally saw that place, since I am so proud Estonian, ’cause our culture heritage. I went there with Mason, from California, who was spending his holiday in Estonia. So it wasn’t the first time only for me, but him also. Next day we went to Finlad - Helsinki. Also for the first time of my life. My friends and relatives are laughing every time when they hear this, ’cause this neighbor country is not far at all from the border of Estonia and I haven’t been there, but I have been in America. Anyways. It was nice, but Estonia is way more beautiful (and cheaper).

Since I don’t work this summer (loser!), I got to spend some extra time with church youth. We have youth class once a week, and we are a bit bigger plans for this month. Actually I have worked this summer. In June, I was in camp 12 days and soon this month I will go back to that camp with another collective. Last month I even picked(/ate) strawberries. Hah! Anyways, back to „ What i have done so far..“ Not very long after trip to Finland, I went to Sweden for couple of days with my family. This has becoming a tradition that our family does every summer. We have uncle there . And this summer was third in a row to go there (for me it was second summer in Stockholm, since i missed last year). Too bad that we stayed only for a day there this year. Anyways. As soon as we got back, I and my bro Talis started to learn lines for a play.We had to perform with our university's drama group in few days on Emajõe (/Mother river) Festival. That was great! I am so so happy that we got to do that. And we got to ride with different boats.Just great!

So you see: my summer has been awesome. I can’t imagine how it would look like, if I even would work every day. There aren’t enough days to get all things done. I still have long „To do“ list on my desktop. I promised to do some school stuff during this summer holiday… two and half months is not enough! There’s so many cool opportunities in front of me where to get new experiences and so on… Life is full of action! You don’t have to go to movie theater to spend your money and time there…

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:09:34 GMT

"Coincidence

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:55:30 GMT

- is when God chooses to remain anonymous."

I Like it!

Bal-Ch-Yo-Ca

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:27:19 GMT

You see, I'm updating already... =0)
Actually I wanted to share with you latest things that have happened in my life. Those of you, who know me, have heard about camp BAL(baltic)CH(christian)YO(youth)CA(camp) also. This was last week on 28th of June to 3rd of July at Kloogaranna. It was already 15th. For me it was third camp, since I missed last year's camp. I so love that place. And that place would't be the same without the people. People that I love! Everytime when I'm there I feel, like i'm in a different world. And when it's over, I have to go back to reality. This time 'landing' into the reality was little bit easier, 'cause I hanged around with my frineds in Tallinn for one more day before I came back to Tartu. And Sunday The Morgantis came to visit us with Mary Alice and Terry and we had very nice time together.

But let me tell you a bit about our camp. This year's theme was "The Soldiers Of God", which comes from Ephesians 6 in a bible and talks about how we have to protect ourselves against satan with Amour of God. Kids loved that and grown ups also. I have to mention here that there was more people in that camp than ever. In fact there wasn't that many places for people, but Nikolai managed to find beds and roofs to everyone. There were people from Tartu, Tallinn, Saaremaa, Russia, England, Canada, California, Texas and Arkansas. And being there that many... singing songs... listening the Word... enjoying each other's company - it really made a difference. It made a big difference for Vlad for example, who gave his life to Jesus.
I was lucky with my roommates. One of them was Kristiin - my roommate from Usa times. I was also with sweet Mare, twins Alice and Elyne and also with one of my favourite people- Eeva Liisa. Our cabin was GreenHouse:) Here are some photos. from this camp.
And here are only few hugs that were given there:

I am very happy for this opportunity to go there and see a small part of this big family. It's way better than big concerts or something similar to those... With people there I can recharged my 'battaries':)

Life Is Captivating!

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 21:04:42 GMT

I have been away for a while. Lived away from home for weeks. Like in Raplamaa and Harjumaa. I’ll try to summarize briefly the thrill of my life.

At the end of May, when the majority of my friends were at the festival in Tallinn, I felt that I was popular:) Among kids. I was in Puhja kindergarten and played Estonian cartoon hero Lotte, who every little (and big) one knows. There were yet others with me who who were dressed up as other known characters. I thought that its hard to fool kids - after all they have seen a lot of cartoons, and visited the theater, but they took it so seriously. Like Lotte was real. All in all a very nice experience:) (I am without make up on this picture, but it melted afterwards anyway.)

On the first Friday of June I was in a place called Tarsi in Keava. This is in Rapla. I recommend everyone to go there. Very cool place. Historical! One of the famous Vikings’ villages (back to the old times). Place where we stayed was viking style. There was Drama School camp. We, students of drama, did their mentoring practice. We had two chifts: the primary school and elementary school groups. We worked with kids in pairs. I was once again with one of my favorites - Kristel, who actually had birthday in the middle of this camp week. At the we had to put together to skits with two different groups. It was a nice experience. I learned a lot there about myselfJ I keep it to myself right nowJJ Anyway, we had a lot of fun: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC7EANLWW24

A couple of days at home, and then again on track. This time I landed at Kloogaranna. There was Language(Russian/Estonian) and Art Camp, where I was a working for 12 days. I saw the so-called "Backstage" life at Kloogaranna, where we have Balchyoca cam every summer. But it was nice experience once again. The children were wonderful and talented. Still.. there were also a lot of emotions, which I at first did not know how to respond or help. But fortunately, we had a nice group of teachers and educators,who quickly resolved all the problems. I was so lucky that I met with these people. They tought me a lot and they were so funny .Almost every night I went to sleep with a stomack ache, ‘cause I had laughed so badly before.But they liked me too, they even asked me to go back next year. And I will go .. if only the same group of organizators will be there.
I arrived to Tartu on Friday with Ron and Judyga directly from the camp and at home I changed clothes and rushed to Talis’ gradiation ceremony. Our little brother graduated 9th class (elementary school) and even director gave him a well done notification. I was a proud sister!

On Saturday, we stopped at Pille’s gradiation ceremony. She graduated schools for adults with gold medal. I went with Warpoles to see it with our own eyes.

Now I have had a rest for a week. Like a holiday. It has been like also new experience, since I don’t remember how being on a break feels...

Today, when I’ll wake up (I need to go to bed before of course – it’s late as you can see), I’ll go to train station, where there are friends waiting for me. We’re going to Tallinna and from there to camp Balchyoca (back to Kloogaranna)Yay! For a week. So I’m out of town again.

Have a great time!