Christmas in Romania

Christmas day was filled with church, food and relaxing. In Romania there is usually a Christmas Eve service, 2 services on Christmas Day and then one on the day after. We started Christmas morning with a church service. Following church we went to Sorin and Monica's (associate pastor) for lunch. We spent the entire day with them eating the traditional Romanian Christmas meal: Sarmale (cabbage rolls), Mamaliga (polenta), Boeuf Salad (think potato salad) and other things. We relaxed all afternoon with them and then we all attended the Christmas Day evening service. After church we went with Oti and Cami (pastor) to their house for some more food! It seems like we went from church to food to church and back to food. It was great!

On Friday we were invited to Andy and Claudia's for lunch. It was another round of Sarmale and Boeuf Salad but this time we ate a traditional soup and sausages. Again we spent the whole day with them relaxing and visiting. It eventually led into dinner where will pulled out the leftovers and started again!

This is our last Christmas to be in Romania (as residents) since we leave in June. It was a special time to spend with the people to whom we are closest. There weren't a lot of pictures taken but a lot of memories made.

We wish you a...

4000 Santas

How on earth did we miss 4000 Santas rallied together in downtown Bucharest? Thats what we get for staying inside on a cold Sunday afternoon.





Caption:
Around 4,000 Romanians dressed as Santa Claus participate in an event attempting to win the Guinness World Record for the most numerous Santa Clauses in one town, in front of the Romania's Parliament Palace in Bucharest December 21, 2008. Bucharest won the world record.

Ruth School Christmas

December is Slow

We are still here, even though there isn't much happening on our blog. After returning from the States we spent a week in Slovakia celebrating Thanksgiving with colleagues. The first week in December was spent catching up on everything that got pushed aside last minute so we can head back to the States. No we are back on a cycle filling the time with work and school. Nothing exciting is happening, but that should change in the next few weeks. As the school gets ready for the Christmas break, there will be activities and celebrations. But for now, just the usual quiet to report on, which equates to nothing.

More later.....