Mmmmm....Burcak

First, let me apologize for being the world's worst blogger!

So, things that have been going on in my life. ESI had a retreat about 2 weekends ago. It was really nice to see people that I haven't seen since training and to get to talk about the struggles and joys of teaching in a foreign country. Everyone had great stories! I loved hearing about all the embarassing, sweet, and terrifiying moments people have had. We had a really great time worshipping the Lord together and exploring some aspects of our own spiritual life. It was a refreshing break.

Other cool things that have happened include a burcak festival, a new church, and finding a lovely park in the center of Prague.

So the burcak festival was really cool. Burcak is this young wine that is in the stage between grape juice and wine. I think it is pretty tasty, think slightly alcoholic apple cider. The only time of year that you can get Burcak is September to early October during the harvest season, so their are festivals all over the country celebrating the harvest and burcak. My roommate and I went to the one here in Prague. It was extremely cool because it was like being at a medieval rennicance (sp) festival. Their were sicilian flag throwers, tightrope walkers, musical performers, and of course burcak. I definitely drank a lot of burcak and ate this really good Czech pastry that tasted like a mix between a cinnamon roll and a crossiant. Delicious and warm! It was freezing outside, but a lot of fun!

Weird things about Prague number 2: they make food called the extrondinarre that looks like chunky dog food, tastes like sweaty socks, and smells like vomit. Yeah, I ordered it, and yeah, I definitely regret it!

That's all for now folks,

Ashley

Sorry it has been a while!

So, life has been super busy since I last wrote. School has started, I've been sick (feel much much better, thanks for all the prayers!), and it has gone from a beautiful 70 degrees to being in the 40's!

So, let's start with school. On my first day of school, I walked 181 steps to my office, watched several graduation exams (ask me if you want to know more), and then left to go to campus 2 to teach my first class. Upon arriving at school 2, I learned that 3 classes (40 students) would be in my one class (13 students) for the day because the other classes teachers were sick. In the middle of my first EVER class, a boy pours a bottle of water over another boys head. Yes, you did read that right, he poured a bottle of water over his head. Then, the boy who had just gotten drenched, proceed to leap out of his chair and get the other boy in a strangle choke hold. At which point, I had to break up the fight by literally yanking one boy off the other boy. Yay, for great first day of school stories!

Other than that, school is school and teenagers are teenagers. I am enjoying class and will let you know more after I have a full week of actual lessons and not just getting to know you stuff.

I was sick from stress, but am now feeling much much better. Thank you so much for all the prayers!

Other things that have happened, I went to a really cool street art/graffiti exhibit. I took a paddle boat on the Voulta river which runs down the center of Prague. This was probably the coolest thing that I have done since I have been here. You got to see the city from the water, relax, and take beautiful pictures (which I will post when I figure out how to get them from my camera to my computer!). I really loved being by the river.

So, I am going to start a things I find weird section of my blog. This week, the thing I find weird have to deal with babies and dogs (Czech dogs are definitely to most well behaved dogs in the world!). So, people will take theirs dogs into restuarants, but leave their babies in carriages outside. There are buses that allow dogs, buses that allow babies, but not buses that allow both. The whole baby/dog relationship is very interesting.

Things to pray for:

Lesson Planning - Coming up with interesting, fun things that interest juniors and seniors is hard!


Love everyone! Talk to you later!

Finally Here!

So, after a canceled flight and an extreme amount a chaos to actually get on the plane, I finally made it to the Czech Republic on Saturday, August 23rd, 2009 at 10:00pm.  Upon arriving, I met my head English teacher, Blanka, who took me to my apartment and my new roommate Stephanie.  

On Sunday, with severe jet lag, I took a tour of Prague with all of my fellow ESIers.   Thought it was amazingly beautiful, I don't remember much because I was half asleep the whole time!  My first day of school was on Monday.  It was just in-service, but I got to meet all of the teachers in my department and tour the school.  For the past week I have been lesson planning, writing syllabi, and getting prepared for the school year.  Definitely much more work than I ever gave my teachers credit for!

My school actually has two locations; Gybu (the main campus) and Pos.  I actually work at both campuses.  Pos started yesterday, but Gybu doesn't start until next week because it has been under renovation.  I have desk at both office and really like all of the ladies that I share an office with!   

I am teaching students that are ages 17-20.  They are the equivalent of Juniors and Seniors in the US high school system, though Czech do school quite differently than we do!  Once I actually start teaching, I will let you know more.

The funniest thing that has happened so far was at McDonalds of all places!  One day, I had to stay at school especially late to administer an exam.  When I left, I was starving and figured the easiest place to get something would be McDonald's because it was on my way home and all I had to do was say a number (which I am really good at in Czech!).  When I got there, the number part was ok, but the cashier could not understand coke/cola for the life of him!  I think we back and forth for over 5 minutes with me pointing at the Coke on the machine, saying coke-a-cola, and never getting anywhere.  At one point, I was trying to think of the czech word for drink and I think I asked for a beer which must have really confused him!  I never got my coke, but I did manage to get fries and chicken nuggets (was the easiest thing to say on the menu!).  

I am loving the Czech Republic!  The people are friendly, the city is beautiful, and I am really making some great friends.  This is an amazing adventure!  

My first day of class in on Thursday, so I will let you know how it goes!  If I don't have your e-mail address, send it to me, I will try to send out quick things letting people know what is going on.

That's all for now!