November was a blur. There was much to learn, tests to conquer and there was some wailing and gnashing of teeth, as language learning continued at full steam. When people ask how Czech classes are going, I answer in all honesty they are going. One day at a time, one step at a time. I am discouraged often and wonder if I am getting anywhere. I sometimes feel like a baby elephant trying to run on ice, clumsy and out of my element and making enormous crashes. My Czech friends assure me I have made great progress though I can only see the big mountain rising before me and rarely look behind to see how much I have already scaled.
Through it all I can relate to my students with more of a sense of empathy than I ever could before. Now I can understand why they would nod and smile and say yes when I asked if they understood, (even if they didn't) because if we nod and smile the teacher will leave us alone! My confidence in speaking is growing ever so slowly but I am bumbling along and I am encouraged by a great band of Czech speaking colleagues who laugh along with me in my mistakes. Like when I say I am going to cook my roommate for dinner (rather than saying I am going to cook dinner for my roommate). I think my biggest misspeak so far was when we were sharing what we like to do for hobbies and instead of saying I like to paint : "Mám ráda malovat." I said: "Mám ráda milovat." Directly translates I like to love though in Czech understanding it more has to do with love making, which is definitely not something you want to express as one of your hobbies.
Christmas break is finally here and it gives me a chance to catch up, post pictures and write letters. Newsletter should be out shortly and if you would like to receive my newsletter there is a place to sign up using the box in the left hand column of this page.
November zipped by -I got to play tourist this fall as Czech Republic is celebrating 100 years of being a country when it became Czechoslovakia in 1918. To celebrate a number of places have been open for free to the public.
For the first time I saw a memorial for Remembrance day in one of the squares. Děkujeme - We thank you.
School went right until December 21.
December 6th is Saint Mikuláš Day in the Czech Republic. So on the December 5th Czech tradition has the children visited by three characters: Saint Mikuláš (Saint Nicholas), andel (angel) and čert (devil like character from Czech fairytales). It is amusing to see how much traditional activities we do terrify children. We sit small children on Santa's lap where they scream in terror. Here they have the kids sing songs to earn candy from the angel and not get taken away by the čert in his sack. So on December 5th my class was visited by Saint Mikuláš and his merry band.
The good students got candy and the bad students got potatoes :)
Our last day we celebrated with treats and singing Christmas Carols in Czech.
To celebrate the start to the holidays I joined a group of friends on a road trip to Dresden in Germany to enjoy the Christmas markets. It poured the whole day so there weren't many crowds. We bundled up with our umbrellas and braved the wet cold for some good food and market fun. I didn't bring my camera this trip (because of the promise of rain) so all my pictures are thanks to my camera phone.
Celebrating Christmas
My flatmate went home for Christmas holidays but before she left we decked our halls. She had the brilliant idea that we should make an advent calendar by crocheting stockings. She bought the yarn and I got to work. Managed to get them all done by the end of the first week of December.
Since trees are quite pricey we decided to decorate our bookshelf instead with tree branches, lights and ornaments. The sentiment is there even though it is slightly nontraditional.
Living overseas you adopt people as family and so you have your overseas family. For Christmas Eve I partied it up with the Mobleys who are some of my adopted family. We feasted on finger food, exchanged white elephant gifts and watched classic Christmas movies. Christmas day my church has a Christmas day service that I was leading worship for so we sang Christmas carols, lit the Christ candle and read through the Christmas story.
Traditional Czech Christmas Eve meal includes carp! We did not participate in this tradition this year.
Afterwards I joined another of my adopted family The Brandes for Russian Crepes called blini. Once again there are no pictures because more time was spent enjoying one another's company. For Christmas I was gifted with many small treats including a wonderful package of Tim Hortons coffee (little taste of home).
Boxing day we ventured out into tourist territory and took in the old town festivities.
For new years I plan to spend it playing games with friends and watching the city come ablaze from the safety of the Mobley's home.
Many thanks to all those who sent extra financial gifts over Christmas. I am blessed beyond measure by your generosity, love and care. School starts back on the 3rd, so the break is short but has been restful.
Looking forward to what the new year will bring!
