Catan - Meet Serbia.

Settlers of Catan That is. 

Oh the wonders of modern technology! While we use our little, silver ipad to check email and Facebook and Skype with family and friends, we have also found another fabulous use for it. 

The Settlers of Catan ipad app, duh?! 

Do you know the game? It is (in my opinion)like the perfect marriage of Risk and Monopoly, but it isn't tedious and the board always changes so your strategy must change with it. I am not one for strategy, and Chris is; but I find that every so often I can still eek out a win (when I'm lucky). I am fiercely competitive though, so I am known to jump out of my seat, throw my hands in the air, and dance around when I manage to beat my strategic husband. When I cook at home, without fail, The Settlers of Catan come to dinner. The game just sort of shows up on the table without discussion or warning. 

We are nerds, it's fine. 

I find playing the game a better alternative to sitting in front of the TV. 

We recently introduced the game to Marko and Lela, and they loved it! Finally, we had new opponents, and Chris had a little more competition. Marko and Lela told their friends about the game, and the "Settlers" started making friends in Serbia. 

We were invited to hang out at Darko's house, so we arrived with the Settlers of Catan and our game faces.  Slaga slaved away in the kitchen while Marko distributed drinks. Naturally, we started with a shot of Darko's apricot Rakia. Apricot is my favorite so far. 

The TV broadcasted a Serbian singing competition similar to American Idol, but traditional songs were performed rather than overplayed pop hits. Darko's cousin is one of the 34 contestants on this show, and she will hit the big stage in the next few weeks. I am sure that there will be more of these evenings to come as we cheer her on from our comfy couches. 

Darko was a great host and he kept trying to feed us more and more. All of the food (and rakia) was wonderful. 

No party is complete without little bit of Catan, so here we are teaching our new friends how to play the game. Marko and Lela helped translate when needed, and everyone seemed to enjoy the game. The evening was a jumble of Serbian, English and a singing competition playing in the background. At 2:30 a.m., Milan (on the far left) had won the game, and we said goodnight with promises of a rematch. 

It's the Little Things . . .

. . . That Make All the Difference in the World.

We are so blessed to call Subotica, Serbia home. Of course there is a language barrier, and sure, we miss some of the comforts from home, but there is so much to be grateful for. And we have realized how LITTLE we need to be happy. Nothing is impossible when you truly invest and love where you have been placed.

I was reflecting on all of the big and little things that have impacted me since we've been in Serbia. I know that there are so many more, but here's a short list I put together:

- Waking up with Chris every morning, sharing breakfast, packing his lunch, and sending him on his way with a kiss and a wish to "have a beautiful day and get home to see me soon!"

- The first cappuccino of every day.

- Beginning to recognize familiar faces as they pass on the street.

- When waiters bring me a glass of water before I even ask.

- Being invited to a stranger's birthday dinner.

- Finding paining canvas at the overwhelming "China-man-store."

- Playing Settlers of Catan with Chris, Marko and Lela . . . and Lela wins!

- Free coffee just to say "welcome to Serbia."

- Skype dates with family and friends that make home feel a little closer.

- The enormous, outdoor fresh market that has become one of my favorite places!

- My elderly neighbor (who does not speak English)cheerfully saying hello to me every morning.

- Running into three American travelers who were researching their heritage in Serbia and Romania.

- Being invited to a dance rehearsal - simply to watch, enjoy and smile.

- Discovering P90X and Insanity on my hard-drive.

- Fresh popcorn for .30 cents on every street corner.

- Five sweet, retired men at the same cafe (with me) every morning.

- Gorgeous and cheap flowers to brighten up my home.

- Finding a park with running trails.

- A soccer game with Marko, Lela, Darko, Zoran and Slaga.

- The bakery (pekera in Serbian) that I visit every morning for a fresh loaf of bread and a shy smile.

- Finding a hotel nearby with a pool that we can use.

- Visiting with one of Chris' managers from the States over a traditional Serbian feast.

- Homemade - amazing, rich and creamy - ice cream on every corner. (Ned, this may make me gain 20 pounds before you see me again:)

- Warm weather, no allergies, no bugs, and patio seating.

- The grocery store in my apartment building.

- Not having a cell phone - I know it is about time, but the silence has been sort of peaceful.

- Laughing children in the park next to Plato Books.

- Overhearing conversations in Serbian and understanding a few words here and there.

- Ordering what I want at a restaurant - in Serbian.

- Meeting a retired English teacher and being invited to volunteer with her to teach other elderly women English. I love that they still are so eager to learn.

- Dessert for lunch with Aleksandra.

- Southland Christian Church podcasts.

- The way that Chris adores American football.

. . . . . Just to list a few of the little blessings, and there are so many more!

We have also experienced a few huge blessings, and times when we really sensed that we are in the right place at the right time. I will write about all that next week. We have a full weekend planned so I won't have time to write over the weekend! Yeah for plans!

See you next week!