Becca vs. Wild a la Scotland 2

Ok, so I decided to go in search of the Loch Ness Monster.

For those of you who have hiked in Catalina State Park, you know that big hill at the very beginning of the trail? And for those of you who have hiked that trail with me, the one I ALWAYS run down? For those of you who don't know what I am referring to, it is a big hill that has a turn at the bottom so you can't see the wash around the corner. Well that was the basic format of the trail leading down to the loch, except it was too steep to run down. So I turned the corner to take the trail next to the loch and practically ran into a giant sheep! So I nonchalantly snuck by the monstrosity of a beast and headed for a rock to write a little bit. My writing consumed my thoughts, which is why I almost had a heart attack when I heard a relatively loud

"Rustle rustle"

coming closer. I turned my head quick enough to bring on whiplash and there he was. My nemesis. THE SHEEP. Now Scottish sheep aren't simple little "baah" sheep. They are huge, wooly, have horns, and huge eyeballs that shoot lasers at you...ok, well not lasers, but they certainly do glare at you. I jumped up and moved to the side, praying that this sheep wouldn't attack me. Luckily, he was more afraid of my stunning good looks and hustled up the hill a bit and around me off to find more of his furry little friends. Phew! That was a close one.

I ventured on around the loch and found a huge hill to climb. I followed a random path that led me around the hill, but not up it. So I decided that since I was all alone in the wilderness and wasn't exactly sure where I was, I should "baja" up the hill to figure out where I was. I turned and started my trek uphill when I heard a crow caw like a sheep (yes, the crow sounded like a sheep) which scared me half to death! Then my mind started to wander...

Hmm, crows, big birds, big birds eat dead things, the only thing that would be dead out here is a sheep, dead sheep, what kills sheep, wolves kill sheep, wolves, WOLVES! Yes, there I was hiking around Scotland fearing the presence of a wolf. Fortunately there were no wolves and I did figure out where I was and how to get back to the path-God provides.

I hiked down the mountain and found the bus stop where I discovered the bus was about a half hour late. Perfect! I would make it back on the early bus! When the bus arrived however, I learned that it was heading to Glasgow and not Edinburgh....bummer. I asked the bus driver if I could make it somewhere closer to Edinburgh and pick up an earlier bus there. He said yes and welcomed me on board. Well, he dropped me off at a random "park n ride" place...awesome. The attendant there was less than please with the driver's intentions, but by the time I figured out what exactly was going on, the bus was gone and I was stuck at a random bus stop for half an hour...

I eventually did make it back to Edinburgh and was exhausted from my day and had achy feet, so I settled in for some dinner, a good book, and an early bed time. What a wonderful day.

Becca vs. Wild a la Scotland

Saturday morning I woke up, ate a crumpet, grabbed an apple, and hit the wad. That's when I realized I was in paradise. Everyone was running! One of my favorite aspects of Scotland was how active the people were. Walking, cycling, running, hiking-such an active place!

Anyway, I found the bus station and was off to Pitlochry.Scotland is lush with color and rich in architecture. Upon arriving at my destination, I went straight to the information center and asked for directions to Ben Vrackie and then I was off. Over the river, and through the woods, to the Scottish wilderness you go!

Hiking alone was quite an adventure. My mother would kill me if I tried to hike Pusch Ridge alone (that is if the snakes didn't get me first) and there I was alone in Scotland of all places. It was stunning. The woods came and went, and then there were rolling hills with sheep bleating in the distance. I found a loch (a Scottish lake), but no monster, and had a great time gawking at how beautiful it was.

To be honest, it was not green. And while I normally would have been terribly disappointed, this was just perfect for my soul. It was brown. And home is VERY brown. So, while it was in actuality an entirely different landscape, I felt more at home than I have in months.

The lady at the information place said that I needed to go past the loch and then I started actually climbing up...naturally, to climb a mountain, you have to go up. "Up" turned out to be a giant rock staircase of switchbacks! There's nothing like having your age brought out by nature...Phew! I took plenty of "photo breaks" to take it all in (and of course to catch my breath). I made it all the way to the top of the Corbett (class of a Scottish hill) and sat down to journal a bit and eat a snack. It was breath-taking. The sun poked around the clouds every once in a while and then it hailed...a rather odd mix, but hey, it's Scotland! I took my time hiking down and decided that since I still had about 4 hours before my bus, I would hike around the loch in search of a monster...

And I'm exhausted, so I'll "edit" this post another time...I'll be helping out at the school again tomorrow! So I better catch a bit of "beauty rest."

Edinburgh

So much to say...so here are some pictures to tide you over until I can give more details

I explored Edinburgh on Sunday and this is what I found.

Jacob's Ladder
Sweet Cemetary
Carlton Hill

The Parthenon...not really
Awesome skyline

Ali, What were you doing in Scotland???

A Birthday Gift

Last Thursday marked the end of my, Rebecca Jean Yuhas, teenage years. Yes, I am officially old...or at least it seems that way. In celebration, I stayed up late the night before and watched a sappy movie (Leap Year...it's wonderful) and then slept in until about 9:15. I was hoping to sub at the International School, but they ended up not needing me until noon, so I had the morning to take my time getting ready and reading through the copious Birthday emails and such. THANK YOU WHOVILLE! I loved my movie-I laughed aloud....and I had headphones in...a bit embarrassing, but entirely worth it! I miss you all so much and wow, do you have skill!

I walked out the door just before 11 to hopefully stop by the a shoe repair shop on my way to the school, but unfortunately I was unable to find it. So I made my way to school to administer part of a Stanford 10 test...never thought I'd interact with one of those again... I love helping out at the school! What a wonderful birthday gift. After the school, I ventured off to a different shoe repair shop and had my boot fixed for 30kc.! (less than $2!). From there I made my way to Petrin Hill to journal and just sit. It was a beautiful, warm, and sunny day. Prague's red rooftops glistened and everything seemed so peaceful. From the park I met up with Hana (who surprised me with two vibrant gerber daisies) and we went off to discussion group. Homemade calzones, talking about 'joy', a surprise birthday cake, and designer toilet paper! Phew! I could not have asked for a better day.

My 20th birthday was simply a gift. God has truly blessed me during this season of life and I have no choice but to rejoice in His faithfulness and love. My birthday usually brings about a somber taste, that leaves me dreading the day, but I am plagued by this no more. Yes, we celebrate the birth of...well...me, on April 22, but why not choose to celebrate the blessings God has done in my life since my birth? If we truly mean to bring Him glory, then let us live in such a way. So happy birthday to me and thank you Lord for 20 years of blessing!

Just Workin

I'm currently sitting in the Anglo-American library in hopes of finishing the rough draft of my research paper that is due in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes. I currently have 525 words of a 2500-4000 word paper and frankly, I'm simply depressed. My topic is human trafficking and wow, this is heavy stuff! I cannot fathom how one human being can demean the human race so low as to be able to sell another as some work object. And yet, after living amongst the world for a few months, I do understand. If people are simply interested in living completely as an individual, seeking only what is best for their own self, of course they would be willing to sell another human being. If there is no relational God who loves and plans for our wellbeing, why are humans special at all? According to the world, humans simply evolved, so basically we are an accident. Who cares what one accident does to another accident? What an awful way to live. And so, my heart hurts over this paper and over the world.

On a much lighter note, it is finally spring! This past weekend, my friend Chloe and I wandered around a park that sits on a hill overlooking Prague. The flowers have bloomed and the bees were buzzing about rejoicing from the sweet treat they found. The world is so intricate. How can all these miraculous sights be perceived as a simply an accident?

Genevieve

Genevieve was an 87 year old Polish woman who I used to visit my senior year. Her family lived states away, so I would go in to talk and listen to her stories. My favorite phrase of hers came out every time she referred to her ex-husband. She would get this witty look in her eyes and say

"My spouse, the louse, who went and married the widow from Sun City."

and then she'd go on with her story. She was spunky and had an opinion about everything (and she let you know it too). She was always trying to set me up with the doctors and loved looking out the window for a Cadillac to drive up with her new husband. Genevieve was quite the character.

A single picture hung on the wall behind Genevieve's big green chair. It was a painting of several red tulips and one beautiful, yellow tulip. Genevieve explained that she loved the picture because the yellow tulip was unique and stood out in the picture. She said that it was individual, but still a tulip. Unfortunately Genevieve no longer graces the earth with her witty character, but her stories still remain. She certainly left a mark on me and I think about her when I see the tulips next to the tram stop-a sea of bright, red tulips with 3 yellow tulips sprinkled in one section. My question: How do I affect those around me? Am I a mirror of Christ? Or just another kid?

People of the World

My mom suggested I make a list of places that I've met people from...So this post will be updated again and again.

• France
• England
• Holland
• Italy
• Germany
• Austria
• Scotland
• Mexico
• Canada
• Kazakhstan
• Georgia
• Russia
• Czech Republic
• China
• Nigeria
• Zimbabwe
• Slovakia
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Bulgaria
• Poland
• Hungary
• Australia
• Lithuania
• Sweden
• Macedonia

Blessings

Written April 15:

Have you ever been so unexpectedly blessed that all you want to do is dance? Have you ever heard wonderful news and tried to journal about it, but have to fight with yourself to sit still because all you want to do is jump for joy? This was my current state yesterday during my 10 minute break in class and then again this morning. God has showered blessings on me in ways that I never would have even hoped for.

1) My home church has decided to bless me with financial support, on top of prayer, for my upcoming missions trip.

2) I have received awesome hiking ideas for my Scotland trip from a friends brother who lives there and I may have a place to stay as well!

Miss Rebecca

My spring break was absolutely delightful. Berlin, Karlstejn, one "get 'er done" day, and four wonderful days volunteering at the Christian International School of Prague. I feel so blessed to have made the connection with the school, because that group of believers has been so encouraging and taken me under their wing. Wednesday was full of office work (although I did have the opportunity to help the 4th and 5th graders during math class)-laminating for three hours, making name tags, the usual. Thursday, my dream came true. The PE teacher called in sick and after finishing up some odds and ends around the office, I was asked to cover the 4th and 5th grade PE class and then the 8th-12th grade girls PE class. I, Rebecca Yuhas, am a substitute teacher. Yes, it was only PE, but it was a blast! The kids were so much fun and so welcoming.

Friday morning I was able to do a little journaling in the park in front of the big church near the Zizkov TV tower and then I headed off to school to help them organize everything for the Bazaar fundraiser they were holding on Saturday. I was busy making signs with a couple of girls and talking to them about their favorites and what they wanted to do when they grew up when one of the faculty rushed in to ask me to cover the 1st grade PE that was starting in approximately 2 minutes...why not! So I subbed for two more PE classes on Friday-I may have found my calling...I love children and I love playing games...

The fundraiser on Saturday was a huge success. There were tons of clothes, dishes, roller blades, and so much more! We had a great time sorting, folding, refolding...it was great. And that was my spring break.

Karlstejn

Easter in Prague was absolutely delightful! Sunday morning I went to church and then met up with the single women/Bible study ladies for an Easter brunch. We had an awesome time of fellowship, good food, and perfecting our charade techniques (we've dubbed Christine's living room the "training grounds"). Monday a group of us left on a half hour train ride to explore a Karlstejn Castle. We followed the winding road up to the castle, but opted out of the tour because of the price. It was huge and intriguing-I can't imagine how many people it took to construct this masterpiece! We started walking down from the castle and decided to turn down a path and venture off in search of a monastery. Well, we never found the monastery, but it was beautiful! We hiked through some woods and then followed a road that led us through a few small towns and across the countryside. Our little journey ended up being a three hour excursion! We stopped for a big, Czech lunch and then hopped on the train to return to Prague.

Upon our return, Chloe, Sora, and I decided to continue our walking journey through Prague. We met up with another friend from Bible Study and walked the streets of Prague-it was beautiful day.

IKEA

Shopping at any IKEA is like being a mouse in a maze. However, if you shop at an IKEA in your own country, you have the privilege of a map, partial understanding, and someone to answer questions. If you do not have the wonderful ability to go to an IKEA in your own country, chaos ensues. Going to IKEA in another country is like going through a maze, while being eternally spun around. Today I met the latter.

First of all, it takes approximately 50 minutes to actually get to the IKEA store, so walking in the door was an accomplishment in itself. I grabbed a shopping bag and headed upstairs to try to figure out where the dishes, pots & pans, etc. were. Following the arrows closely I wandered around the entire floor. Couches to offices to kitchens to bedrooms to kids' rooms back to where I started. Hmm....where on earth do they keep the dishes?! I stopped a couple of workers walking by.

"anglický? " I asked. Luckily one of them spoke a little, so I asked where the kitchenware, pots, pans, etc. were. I'm pretty sure the man had no idea what I was talking about, because he said that if I followed the arrows I would make it there....so I walked through the entire floor again. I tried to ask someone else if they spoke English, but she responded with a somewhat disgusted "ne." I was so confused and frustrated because I was all the way out there and could not find what I was looking for and had no idea how to fix my problem. After walking through the upstairs two and a half times, I decided to call it quits and head for the door. When I descended the steps, relief swept over me. Dishes. Plates, cups, bowls! Of all shapes and sizes! I made it. Praise you Lord! I kicked into bargain shopper mode and got down to business. Mission accomplished.

Berlin

Here's a few pictures...