Pohdu a pokoj o Vánocich, z Česká Republika!
Translation: Comfort and peace at Christmas, from the Czech Republic!
My Schools:
Things at both Gymnazium Milady Horakove and Gymnazium Radotin are still going well. On December 16 the students at Gymnazium Milady Horakove had their annual Christmas program. The program was very much like the type of program one would see at an American school….just all in Czech. The students were dressed in their best Christmas sweaters and sang many songs. Sitting in the pew watching them, I felt like a proud mother….or something like that. It’s only been four months, but I have to say, I absolutely love my students.
My Ministry:
The two English clubs (Café Coze and Kava/Kino) are going well. Each week we have about ten students from four different Gymnaziums. Still, two of my students have visited, but two students are better than no students, right? During one Kava/Kino (movie club) we watched the film “Little Miss Sunshine.” During the discussions the students have been becoming more and more comfortable with one another. Please pray that this comfort will lead to deeper conversations about faith.
Things with Youth Praha have also been going well. This past Friday a Czech student, we’ll call her E, from Radotin came to Youth Praha with the two Christian girls that go to that school. I am unsure if E is a Christian or not but she seemed to really enjoy the worship and Christmas testimony portion of the evening. We are praying that we will see E again.
I was also able to have a spiritual conversation with one of my colleagues at Radotin, we’ll call him RNB. One morning RNB asked me for help with his lesson. I just told him t0 pick something that will make the students think, mentioning my conversation about evolution with the two Christian girls from our school at the mall one day. His response: “Oh, those girls they’re those crazy Christian ones. They’re new at this religion thing, they’ll grow out of it. I was Christian but I grew out of it.” Before I could stop myself I said “I have to be honest with you. I’ve been a Christian since I was in 7th grade and I have yet to grow out of it and I have no intention of growing out of it.” For the next few fifteen minutes he asked me questions about God’s character. At the end of the conversation he said: “You know…I like your kind of Christian, you’re like the normal kind. You know? If I have more questions, I’ll ask you.” (YAY!!!)
My Support:
A BIG thank-you to everyone who have been praying for me, to those of you who have become monthly supporters or have given special one-time gifts. As of right now, God has raised $7770.50!!! However, I still need to raise $4229.50 in order to reach my full budget of $12,000 before the end of February.
I still need your help. To join my support team or add to my support please visit the TeachOverseas website: www.teachoverseas.org and click on the contribute link under the “about us” section. You can give using a credit card, paypal or sign up for monthly contributions. In the “contribute” section choose “teacher or staff member” and enter my name.
My Prayer Requests:
- Praise God that the students from different schools at English club are building relationships with one another
- Praise God that new students have come to Youth Praha
- Please pray that God will provide me with the support I need in both prayer and funding
- Please pray that I will receive guidance in serving my students well
- Please pray for more spiritual conversations with colleagues
- Please pray that I can continue to build relationships with my students both at school and English Club
- Please pray that I will continue to build deep relationships with the kids at Youth Praha
- Please pray that more Czech students will accept invitations to Youth Praha
- Please pray for the safety of my colleagues and I as I travel to spend Christmas with other ESI teachers in Budapest
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Important, life lessons that I have learned from my students:
1) $h!t is the technical term for the stuff inside a pumpkin.
"Has anyone ever made a Jack-o-Lantern?"
"Yes, you cut open the top of the pumpkin and there is a bunch of $h!it inside that you have to take out, then you put a face on it."
2) All of the good looking men come from Croatia.
"Do you have a boyfriend."
"Not at the moment."
"Well, then you should go to Croatia. That is where all sexy of the men are from."
3) Never date Italian men.
In reaction to the joke: “Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and it is all organised by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it is all organised by the Italians”.
"Does anyone have a comment about the joke? Do you think it is funny? Is it true?"
"NO! ITALIAN MEN ARE NOT GOOD LOVERS!!!"
4) Cheating is the fastest way to become Lord Sith.
"What is my rule about cheating?"
"Cheating is bad. Cheating is the way to the dark side. If you are cheating your lightsaber will turn red and you become Lord Sith."
5) Harry Potter is ALWAYS relevant.
"Can anyone give me an example of a formal statement"
"Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have passed your Defense Against the Dark Arts exam."
6) The great outdoors is not called "nature" it is called "the nature."
"What are some typical Czech hobbies?"
"Well, most Czech families love to go mushrooming outside in the nature."
7) You are NOT supposed to eat vegetables.
During our "food pyramid" lesson:
"What are peas?"
"They're little green circle vegetables."
"GROSS! You are NOT supposed go eat vegetables. All vegetables are discusting, especially peas. Peas are little green yucks. You'll die if you eat too many of those."
"Has anyone ever made a Jack-o-Lantern?"
"Yes, you cut open the top of the pumpkin and there is a bunch of $h!it inside that you have to take out, then you put a face on it."
2) All of the good looking men come from Croatia.
"Do you have a boyfriend."
"Not at the moment."
"Well, then you should go to Croatia. That is where all sexy of the men are from."
3) Never date Italian men.
In reaction to the joke: “Heaven is where the police are British, the cooks are French, the mechanics are German, the lovers are Italian and it is all organised by the Swiss. Hell is where the police are German, the cooks are English, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss, and it is all organised by the Italians”.
"Does anyone have a comment about the joke? Do you think it is funny? Is it true?"
"NO! ITALIAN MEN ARE NOT GOOD LOVERS!!!"
4) Cheating is the fastest way to become Lord Sith.
"What is my rule about cheating?"
"Cheating is bad. Cheating is the way to the dark side. If you are cheating your lightsaber will turn red and you become Lord Sith."
5) Harry Potter is ALWAYS relevant.
"Can anyone give me an example of a formal statement"
"Dear Mr. Potter, We are pleased to inform you that you have passed your Defense Against the Dark Arts exam."
6) The great outdoors is not called "nature" it is called "the nature."
"What are some typical Czech hobbies?"
"Well, most Czech families love to go mushrooming outside in the nature."
7) You are NOT supposed to eat vegetables.
During our "food pyramid" lesson:
"What are peas?"
"They're little green circle vegetables."
"GROSS! You are NOT supposed go eat vegetables. All vegetables are discusting, especially peas. Peas are little green yucks. You'll die if you eat too many of those."
Saturday, December 4, 2010
It's A LIE, Santa DOES NOT live in the North Pole.
I'm afraid I have some news. It maybe good or bad, take it as you will.
Ladies and Gentelmen, I would like to announce that you have been lied to: Sant does not live in the North Pole; Santa actually lives in Prague. I have come up with four reasons Santa actually lives in Prague:
If you haven't seen the classic "rudolph the red nosed reindeer" movie you might be confused...stay with me here....if you must, go watch the film first
1) There is a Christmas Tree forest in every square
There are Christmas trees EVERYWHERE! INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! If you ask me, they're trying to disguise the Christmas tree forest.
2) Ther are Elf workshops a plenty
So...In the Christmas markets there are many booths. In most of the booths they sell toys and or homemade things, most of which are similar....looks like the work of elves to me.
3) Christmas Music coming out of everywhere
Some of the Christmas trees SING! YES THEY DO! I was walking through Jiriho z Podebrad and I heard music...I THOUGHT it was coming from an open flat window....nope....it was coming out of the tree.
4) Santa's Castle is at the top of the city
If you have seen the movie, you will notice that Santa's castle is the first on the left...up above the city. If you are coming into oldtown you will notice that the Prague Castle is the first castle on the left. Also, you can't go inside all of the rooms inside the castle, why? Because that is where Santa and the Elves live.
Now you know. I'm sorry if this has spoiled your Chrismtas. :-)
Ladies and Gentelmen, I would like to announce that you have been lied to: Sant does not live in the North Pole; Santa actually lives in Prague. I have come up with four reasons Santa actually lives in Prague:
If you haven't seen the classic "rudolph the red nosed reindeer" movie you might be confused...stay with me here....if you must, go watch the film first
1) There is a Christmas Tree forest in every square
There are Christmas trees EVERYWHERE! INSIDE AND OUTSIDE! If you ask me, they're trying to disguise the Christmas tree forest.
2) Ther are Elf workshops a plenty
So...In the Christmas markets there are many booths. In most of the booths they sell toys and or homemade things, most of which are similar....looks like the work of elves to me.
3) Christmas Music coming out of everywhere
Some of the Christmas trees SING! YES THEY DO! I was walking through Jiriho z Podebrad and I heard music...I THOUGHT it was coming from an open flat window....nope....it was coming out of the tree.
4) Santa's Castle is at the top of the city
If you have seen the movie, you will notice that Santa's castle is the first on the left...up above the city. If you are coming into oldtown you will notice that the Prague Castle is the first castle on the left. Also, you can't go inside all of the rooms inside the castle, why? Because that is where Santa and the Elves live.
Now you know. I'm sorry if this has spoiled your Chrismtas. :-)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
October/November Update
Dobrý Den, z Česká Republika!
Translation: Hello from the Czech Republic!
Thanks for becoming part of my support team! It’s time for another update!
My Schools:
Things at both GMH and GR continue to go well. The longer I am at both schools, the more I am coming to enjoy my job at both schools. I’m getting to know the other teachers at both places much more. I no longer feel like the “new person” at school, I’m just one of the staff! On the same note, I feel that I am starting to build genuine friendships with some of my students. I am not longer “the weird American teacher,” according to my students, I am the “real person” teacher …whatever that means.
My Ministry:
After speaking to my students and praying, I have joined forces with some of the other ESI teachers in Prague. We are now running two types of English clubs: an English conversation club (called Café Coze) and an English movie club (called Kava/Kino). Only two of my students have visited sofar, but I have a feeling it will take some time.
Regarding the two groups that God has presented me with, I have chosen to work with Youth Praha for a few reasons. The first being that the two Christian girls at Radotin go there and the second being that I feel like God has in a way, dropped Youth Praha in my lap through my church needing more help. It was like God was screaming “THIS IS IT!”
Youth Praha is a youth group is majorly focused on investing in missionary kids in Prague, but has brought in a fair number of Czechs. My vision working with Youth Praha is to invest in the kids that are there as well as invest in and invite students that would be interested in practicing their English with an entire room of English speakers. They can come and play games, sing songs and engage in dialogues about what they believe…and maybe even meet Jesus!!
My Spiritual Life:
Things at the International Church of Prague (ICP) are continuing to go well. I am also continuing to love the bible study through my church.
On another note, there is one thing that I have really been struggling with:
One night when I was taking the tram home from Youth Praha and a man slowly stepped onto the tram COVERED in blood. He had four HUGE gashes in his head, like he had been beaten with a pipe, bottle or something else. I started to cry instantly and since I don’t speak Czech, I didn’t know what to do nor could I really do anything. It seemed as if nobody had noticed because nobody reacted or tried to help him.
After seeing this I was quite upset for about a week, constantly thinking: “Why does God let things happen?” “Why wasn’t anyone helping him?” “How angry would someone to be do do that to another person.” The only conclusion that I have been able to come to in all of this is the realization of how much evil truly exists in the city I live in. Please pray against the evil one’s efforts here.
My Support:
A HUGE thank you to everyone who have been praying for me, to those of you who have signed up for monthly deductions and given special one-time gifts. As of right now, God has raised $7495.50!!! AWESOME!!! However, I still need to raise $4504.50 in order to reach my full budget of $12,000 before the end of February.
As you can see, I still need your help. To join my support team or add to my support please visit the TeachOverseas website: www.teachoverseas.org and click on the contribute link under the “about us” section. You can give using a credit card, paypal or sign up for monthly contributions. In the “contribute” section choose “teacher or staff member” and enter my name.
My Prayer Requests:
- Praise God that I am feeling at home in Prague and also at ICP.
- Praise God that I am building deeper relationships with the women in my bible
study
- Praise God that things at Youth Praha are going well
- Please pray that I will receive guidance in continuing to serve my students well
- Please pray that I can continue to build relationships with my students both at
school and English Club
- Please pray that God will provide me with more support both in prayer and funding
- Please pray that I will build deep relationships with the kids at Youth Praha
- Please pray for the man on the tram and the other evils in Prague
Thank you so much for all of your support!!
Translation: Hello from the Czech Republic!
Thanks for becoming part of my support team! It’s time for another update!
My Schools:
Things at both GMH and GR continue to go well. The longer I am at both schools, the more I am coming to enjoy my job at both schools. I’m getting to know the other teachers at both places much more. I no longer feel like the “new person” at school, I’m just one of the staff! On the same note, I feel that I am starting to build genuine friendships with some of my students. I am not longer “the weird American teacher,” according to my students, I am the “real person” teacher …whatever that means.
My Ministry:
After speaking to my students and praying, I have joined forces with some of the other ESI teachers in Prague. We are now running two types of English clubs: an English conversation club (called Café Coze) and an English movie club (called Kava/Kino). Only two of my students have visited sofar, but I have a feeling it will take some time.
Regarding the two groups that God has presented me with, I have chosen to work with Youth Praha for a few reasons. The first being that the two Christian girls at Radotin go there and the second being that I feel like God has in a way, dropped Youth Praha in my lap through my church needing more help. It was like God was screaming “THIS IS IT!”
Youth Praha is a youth group is majorly focused on investing in missionary kids in Prague, but has brought in a fair number of Czechs. My vision working with Youth Praha is to invest in the kids that are there as well as invest in and invite students that would be interested in practicing their English with an entire room of English speakers. They can come and play games, sing songs and engage in dialogues about what they believe…and maybe even meet Jesus!!
My Spiritual Life:
Things at the International Church of Prague (ICP) are continuing to go well. I am also continuing to love the bible study through my church.
On another note, there is one thing that I have really been struggling with:
One night when I was taking the tram home from Youth Praha and a man slowly stepped onto the tram COVERED in blood. He had four HUGE gashes in his head, like he had been beaten with a pipe, bottle or something else. I started to cry instantly and since I don’t speak Czech, I didn’t know what to do nor could I really do anything. It seemed as if nobody had noticed because nobody reacted or tried to help him.
After seeing this I was quite upset for about a week, constantly thinking: “Why does God let things happen?” “Why wasn’t anyone helping him?” “How angry would someone to be do do that to another person.” The only conclusion that I have been able to come to in all of this is the realization of how much evil truly exists in the city I live in. Please pray against the evil one’s efforts here.
My Support:
A HUGE thank you to everyone who have been praying for me, to those of you who have signed up for monthly deductions and given special one-time gifts. As of right now, God has raised $7495.50!!! AWESOME!!! However, I still need to raise $4504.50 in order to reach my full budget of $12,000 before the end of February.
As you can see, I still need your help. To join my support team or add to my support please visit the TeachOverseas website: www.teachoverseas.org and click on the contribute link under the “about us” section. You can give using a credit card, paypal or sign up for monthly contributions. In the “contribute” section choose “teacher or staff member” and enter my name.
My Prayer Requests:
- Praise God that I am feeling at home in Prague and also at ICP.
- Praise God that I am building deeper relationships with the women in my bible
study
- Praise God that things at Youth Praha are going well
- Please pray that I will receive guidance in continuing to serve my students well
- Please pray that I can continue to build relationships with my students both at
school and English Club
- Please pray that God will provide me with more support both in prayer and funding
- Please pray that I will build deep relationships with the kids at Youth Praha
- Please pray for the man on the tram and the other evils in Prague
Thank you so much for all of your support!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
September Update
Dobry den!
Czeching Things Out:
So, I’ve officially lived in the Czech Republic for about eight weeks and I can honestly say Prague is beginning to feel like a place I can call home. I feel so blessed to be able to share with you how God is using me in the Czech Republic! Thank you so much for becoming part of my support team!!
My Schools:
As you know, I am splitting my commitment time between two schools: Gymnazium Milady Horakove and Gymnazium Radotin. Sofar things are going very well at both of my schools and I have been able to get to know some of my students.
Something that has been very challenging is that I have a student with autism at each of my schools and have been having a hard time making my lessons “student’s name” friendly. The things that I have tried so far seem to be working, but I am never truly sure if those students understand because I have not yet earned their trust. Please pray that he and my students with autism will become more comfortable with me so I can serve them more.
I also have a student in my beginner class at Milady Horakove that from a bi-lingual family. He and his parents are fluent in both Czech and English. In result, his fluency has placed him at a MUCH higher level than the rest of the class. Sometimes I find it very difficult to keep his attention in my lessons. Please ask for guidance as to how to what to do in this situation.
My Ministry:
First of all, God is pretty much amazing!! I’ve been praying about what my ministry should be with my students. He has answered my prayers!! A couple weeks ago at Milady Horakove, four of my students came up to me after class and asked if I would be able to give them private English lessons to help them prepare for an English exam required to study in the US next year. HELLO SIGN FROM GOD!! I GET IT!!! I’LL START AN ENGLISH CLUB!!!
On another note, I have also been praying about other types of ministry and do not feel the He is calling me to volunteer with IFES at this time. Rather He has used the IFES volunteers from the UK as part of my spiritual support system.
Right now, I feel that God is asking me to specifically invest in the younger girls, especially the students around me. In helping me do so, He has presented me with two student groups: Young Life and Youth Praha. Both groups have very different dynamics, please pray for His guidance.
My Spiritual Life:
Another prayer that has been answered is the prayer to find a church and or a really good bible study to make me feel at home: I have found both! I have been attending the International Church of Prague (ICP) and I have also been attending a women’s bible study through the church.
Most of the time I have been here, ICP has been taking a close look at Paul and his story. In result we’ve had “homework” (okay, its self afflicted homework) taking an even deeper look at the the life of Paul and God has been “smacking me” in the face with new angles to share the Gospel!! I’m SO EXCITED!
My Support:
First, a BIG thank you to everyone who have been praying for me, to those of you who have signed up for monthly deductions and given special one-time gifts. As of right now, God has raised $7395.50!!! AWESOME!!! However, I still need to raise $4604.50 in order to reach my full budget of $12,000 before the end of February.
As you can see, I still need your help. To join my support team or add to my support please visit the TeachOverseas website: www.teachoverseas.org and click on the contribute link under the “about us” section. From there you can give credit card or a paypal account or sign up for monthly contributions. In the “contribute” section choose “teacher or staff member” and enter my name.
My Prayer Requests:
- Praise God that I have been adjusting well to live abroad
- Praise God that I have found a church, bible study and Christian friends here
- Praise God for the ministry opportunities He has recently revealed to me
- Pray that I will receive guidance as to how to better serve my students with Autism
- Pray that I can find a way to feed my “beginner” level fluent English speaker
- Please pray that I can continue to build relationships with my students both at school and English Club
- Pray that God will make it clear as to which youth ministry I should be involved with (or both)
- Please pray that God will provide more support both in prayer and funding
Thank you so much for all of your support!!
With His Love,
Sierra
Czeching Things Out:
So, I’ve officially lived in the Czech Republic for about eight weeks and I can honestly say Prague is beginning to feel like a place I can call home. I feel so blessed to be able to share with you how God is using me in the Czech Republic! Thank you so much for becoming part of my support team!!
My Schools:
As you know, I am splitting my commitment time between two schools: Gymnazium Milady Horakove and Gymnazium Radotin. Sofar things are going very well at both of my schools and I have been able to get to know some of my students.
Something that has been very challenging is that I have a student with autism at each of my schools and have been having a hard time making my lessons “student’s name” friendly. The things that I have tried so far seem to be working, but I am never truly sure if those students understand because I have not yet earned their trust. Please pray that he and my students with autism will become more comfortable with me so I can serve them more.
I also have a student in my beginner class at Milady Horakove that from a bi-lingual family. He and his parents are fluent in both Czech and English. In result, his fluency has placed him at a MUCH higher level than the rest of the class. Sometimes I find it very difficult to keep his attention in my lessons. Please ask for guidance as to how to what to do in this situation.
My Ministry:
First of all, God is pretty much amazing!! I’ve been praying about what my ministry should be with my students. He has answered my prayers!! A couple weeks ago at Milady Horakove, four of my students came up to me after class and asked if I would be able to give them private English lessons to help them prepare for an English exam required to study in the US next year. HELLO SIGN FROM GOD!! I GET IT!!! I’LL START AN ENGLISH CLUB!!!
On another note, I have also been praying about other types of ministry and do not feel the He is calling me to volunteer with IFES at this time. Rather He has used the IFES volunteers from the UK as part of my spiritual support system.
Right now, I feel that God is asking me to specifically invest in the younger girls, especially the students around me. In helping me do so, He has presented me with two student groups: Young Life and Youth Praha. Both groups have very different dynamics, please pray for His guidance.
My Spiritual Life:
Another prayer that has been answered is the prayer to find a church and or a really good bible study to make me feel at home: I have found both! I have been attending the International Church of Prague (ICP) and I have also been attending a women’s bible study through the church.
Most of the time I have been here, ICP has been taking a close look at Paul and his story. In result we’ve had “homework” (okay, its self afflicted homework) taking an even deeper look at the the life of Paul and God has been “smacking me” in the face with new angles to share the Gospel!! I’m SO EXCITED!
My Support:
First, a BIG thank you to everyone who have been praying for me, to those of you who have signed up for monthly deductions and given special one-time gifts. As of right now, God has raised $7395.50!!! AWESOME!!! However, I still need to raise $4604.50 in order to reach my full budget of $12,000 before the end of February.
As you can see, I still need your help. To join my support team or add to my support please visit the TeachOverseas website: www.teachoverseas.org and click on the contribute link under the “about us” section. From there you can give credit card or a paypal account or sign up for monthly contributions. In the “contribute” section choose “teacher or staff member” and enter my name.
My Prayer Requests:
- Praise God that I have been adjusting well to live abroad
- Praise God that I have found a church, bible study and Christian friends here
- Praise God for the ministry opportunities He has recently revealed to me
- Pray that I will receive guidance as to how to better serve my students with Autism
- Pray that I can find a way to feed my “beginner” level fluent English speaker
- Please pray that I can continue to build relationships with my students both at school and English Club
- Pray that God will make it clear as to which youth ministry I should be involved with (or both)
- Please pray that God will provide more support both in prayer and funding
Thank you so much for all of your support!!
With His Love,
Sierra
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Another Milk Adventure!!
So, yesterday I went to the market again to get some things to make dinner. Since I was ALMOST out of milk, I decieded to get some more.
For those of you who don't know, the Czech word for milk is mleko. In Europe, you can get milk both in the cooler, but also on the shelf. The milk on the shelf can be left at room temperature until it's opened. The milk in the cooler and the milk on the shelf had different names printed on them followed by the word "mleko."
In the cooler there are many different types of milk. Since Meijer has multiple brands of milk, I assumed the Czech Republic is the same way. Since I learned from a friend of mine that the "clever" brand is the store brand I decided to buy the clever brand, which had "Kefirove mleko" printed on it, since at Meijer they're all the same thing....just different packaging.
The next morning, I found out that Kefirove mleko is NOT regular milk....its similar to buttermilk/liquid sour cream grossness. It RUINED my cereal AND my morning!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!
For those of you who don't know, the Czech word for milk is mleko. In Europe, you can get milk both in the cooler, but also on the shelf. The milk on the shelf can be left at room temperature until it's opened. The milk in the cooler and the milk on the shelf had different names printed on them followed by the word "mleko."
In the cooler there are many different types of milk. Since Meijer has multiple brands of milk, I assumed the Czech Republic is the same way. Since I learned from a friend of mine that the "clever" brand is the store brand I decided to buy the clever brand, which had "Kefirove mleko" printed on it, since at Meijer they're all the same thing....just different packaging.
The next morning, I found out that Kefirove mleko is NOT regular milk....its similar to buttermilk/liquid sour cream grossness. It RUINED my cereal AND my morning!!! NEVER AGAIN!!!!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I made it!
Newsflash! I'm here and I"m alive!!!
After an eleven hour flight, another half an hour flight and a car ride yesterday I finally arrived at my flat in Prague!
Sofar the two days I’ve been living in Prague have gone pretty well. The head english teacher at Milady Horakove and his best friend (who just so happens to be the principal) came to collect me from the airport and drove me back to my flat. (photos to come!!)
About an hour after arriving in my flat I had my first cross-cultural adventure...the great hunt for milk. There is a small supermarket (Postraviny) across the street from my flat so, out of convenience and also because I haven’t figured out public transportation yet, I decided to go there. While I was at the market I decided that I wanted some cereal to go with my milk, so I asked the cashier to help me find it. Since she had no idea what I was talking about so we played a little game of charades. Thanks to the charades, I now have cereal. Woot woot!
The next day (Saturday) the head English teacher from Milady Horakove brought one of the students from our school and her friend to show me around the city. At first the girl who will be in my class was afraid of me because I’m the first native English speaker she has ever spent a significant amount of time talking to, but as we walked and talked together she felt alot more comfortable. Her friend attends a private English Gymnazium, so her english skills are really good. I think my student felt more comfortable because her friend was there to help her.
On our tour we took public transit to Wenceslas square, through Old Town Square and through the Pragye castle gardens. Last year I had wanted to see the gardens but didn't have time....I was not impressed. Apparantly they are only beautiful in the springtime.
After the tour one of the girls had to stop at the market for some groceries to make her dinner. Some of the boarding schools let the students make their own meals in a community kitchen. While in the market the girls were very nice and helped me find everything I needed. It was very cute how excited they were to help me find everything.
For some reason, I was expecting the students to be sort of stand offish toward me, but they were both very sweet and very excited to get to know me. After today, I’m even more excited for school to start so that I can meet the rest of my students at both of my schools!
After an eleven hour flight, another half an hour flight and a car ride yesterday I finally arrived at my flat in Prague!
Sofar the two days I’ve been living in Prague have gone pretty well. The head english teacher at Milady Horakove and his best friend (who just so happens to be the principal) came to collect me from the airport and drove me back to my flat. (photos to come!!)
About an hour after arriving in my flat I had my first cross-cultural adventure...the great hunt for milk. There is a small supermarket (Postraviny) across the street from my flat so, out of convenience and also because I haven’t figured out public transportation yet, I decided to go there. While I was at the market I decided that I wanted some cereal to go with my milk, so I asked the cashier to help me find it. Since she had no idea what I was talking about so we played a little game of charades. Thanks to the charades, I now have cereal. Woot woot!
The next day (Saturday) the head English teacher from Milady Horakove brought one of the students from our school and her friend to show me around the city. At first the girl who will be in my class was afraid of me because I’m the first native English speaker she has ever spent a significant amount of time talking to, but as we walked and talked together she felt alot more comfortable. Her friend attends a private English Gymnazium, so her english skills are really good. I think my student felt more comfortable because her friend was there to help her.
On our tour we took public transit to Wenceslas square, through Old Town Square and through the Pragye castle gardens. Last year I had wanted to see the gardens but didn't have time....I was not impressed. Apparantly they are only beautiful in the springtime.
After the tour one of the girls had to stop at the market for some groceries to make her dinner. Some of the boarding schools let the students make their own meals in a community kitchen. While in the market the girls were very nice and helped me find everything I needed. It was very cute how excited they were to help me find everything.
For some reason, I was expecting the students to be sort of stand offish toward me, but they were both very sweet and very excited to get to know me. After today, I’m even more excited for school to start so that I can meet the rest of my students at both of my schools!
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