CISP has been blessed by the prayers and financial support of so many people; so, our students wanted to say thank you for all your help to make our school possible!
Wednesday, 23 January 2013
Thank you from CISP
C.I.S.P. THANKS YOU!
CISP has been blessed by the prayers and financial support of so many people; so, our students wanted to say thank you for all your help to make our school possible!
CISP has been blessed by the prayers and financial support of so many people; so, our students wanted to say thank you for all your help to make our school possible!
Sunday, 30 December 2012
Free Time
When I have a spare moment...
So Recently I was asked: "What do you do when you are not teaching?" In other words what do you do for fun in your spare time? Though spare time in a teacher's life is rare we do have those moments of down time where you need to relax and unwind. Last year when I found myself alone for a week during Christmas break, and it was too miserable outside to do anything, I decided to venture into painting. This hobby has expanded to include other mediums such as chalk and oil pastels, water coloured pencils and pencil sketching. So I thought I would share with you some of the pieces I have worked on over the past year. There are a few more not picture but they are now in other peoples' possession.
<-- This was my first piece I ever attempted.
So Recently I was asked: "What do you do when you are not teaching?" In other words what do you do for fun in your spare time? Though spare time in a teacher's life is rare we do have those moments of down time where you need to relax and unwind. Last year when I found myself alone for a week during Christmas break, and it was too miserable outside to do anything, I decided to venture into painting. This hobby has expanded to include other mediums such as chalk and oil pastels, water coloured pencils and pencil sketching. So I thought I would share with you some of the pieces I have worked on over the past year. There are a few more not picture but they are now in other peoples' possession.
<-- This was my first piece I ever attempted.
Friday, 21 December 2012
To the Post Office with You!
Christmas Postal Adventures
So School is closed for the holidays and I finally have time to sit down and write Christmas postcards and Blog entries. After putting it off for quite sometime I finally braved the pos toffice to post a few letters and Christmas parcels. It seems rather odd to be fearful of the post office, however it is quite intimidating trying to send something somewhere when you are in a foreign country and don't speak the language.
Most Czech post offices are more like visiting a bank, with their glass partitions and money drawers. We go there to pay our bills, as well as send mail. Each window has a list of services they do and if you go to the wrong window you're in trouble. They are very particular about how things are done (especially formal forms) right down to the colour of pen you use and which direction you filled in the boxes. It can be quite the scary experience; especially when you keep filling out a form incorrectly and you don't know what you are doing wrong.
Therefore it is no surprise that I put off Post Office visits as much as possible; when I do go I pray. All the way there I pray that I have a delightful encounter with an understanding postal worker and that I can communicate well with the little Czech I know.
Today was one of those days which a trip to the post office was in order. Rent needed paying and parcels needed sending. Christmas time in a Czech Post Office is even more unpleasant that normal; with long lines, tired and cranky patrons and workers alike. So when I walked into the Post Office this afternoon fearing for the worst I was pleasantly surprised. NO Lines! (This I have never encountered especially at Christmas!) So I walked up to a counter praying it was the right one. Said my Dobrý den and handed my rent slip and passport to pay my large cash sum for rent. Right away identifying that I was a foreigner who most likely spoke no Czech. She rang up my rent bill and I handed her exact change (which always makes them happy) and I got half a smile. Next I handed her my letters and added my Prosím do Kanady (please to Canada) then I got a big smile. Posted my letters for under $10 stated my Všechno, Děkuji moc (that's all, thank you very much) Got another smile and left.
Although it does not seem like much, this was the highlight of my day. What a blessing. Praise the Lord for the little things like smiles from the lady at the Post Office.
So School is closed for the holidays and I finally have time to sit down and write Christmas postcards and Blog entries. After putting it off for quite sometime I finally braved the pos toffice to post a few letters and Christmas parcels. It seems rather odd to be fearful of the post office, however it is quite intimidating trying to send something somewhere when you are in a foreign country and don't speak the language.
Most Czech post offices are more like visiting a bank, with their glass partitions and money drawers. We go there to pay our bills, as well as send mail. Each window has a list of services they do and if you go to the wrong window you're in trouble. They are very particular about how things are done (especially formal forms) right down to the colour of pen you use and which direction you filled in the boxes. It can be quite the scary experience; especially when you keep filling out a form incorrectly and you don't know what you are doing wrong.
Therefore it is no surprise that I put off Post Office visits as much as possible; when I do go I pray. All the way there I pray that I have a delightful encounter with an understanding postal worker and that I can communicate well with the little Czech I know.
Today was one of those days which a trip to the post office was in order. Rent needed paying and parcels needed sending. Christmas time in a Czech Post Office is even more unpleasant that normal; with long lines, tired and cranky patrons and workers alike. So when I walked into the Post Office this afternoon fearing for the worst I was pleasantly surprised. NO Lines! (This I have never encountered especially at Christmas!) So I walked up to a counter praying it was the right one. Said my Dobrý den and handed my rent slip and passport to pay my large cash sum for rent. Right away identifying that I was a foreigner who most likely spoke no Czech. She rang up my rent bill and I handed her exact change (which always makes them happy) and I got half a smile. Next I handed her my letters and added my Prosím do Kanady (please to Canada) then I got a big smile. Posted my letters for under $10 stated my Všechno, Děkuji moc (that's all, thank you very much) Got another smile and left.
Although it does not seem like much, this was the highlight of my day. What a blessing. Praise the Lord for the little things like smiles from the lady at the Post Office.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
CISP Christmas Concert 2012
In CISP Christmas Concerts of the past, the elementary only participated by singing one or two songs and maybe have a short presentation from the drama club. This year we decided to do something different. The 1st-6th graders worked hard on their own Christmas Production of Anton's Christmas Visitor. A wonderful story where the gospel message is clearly shared. The Grade Ones, Twos and Threes were given the mighty task of sharing the Christmas story by illustrating and reciting Luke 2:1-20. I was just as proud as ever to see this small group (many of them learning English as their 2nd and even 3rd language) perform so well!
See the video below to see what they did :)
Thursday, 6 December 2012
Roman Holiday Part III
Our final day in Rome was going to be a short one since we had to be headed back to the airport by 1:00pm So to make the most of our day we started off running at 7:00 am!
First stop was the Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth) famous for being in movies like Roman Holiday.
However our attempt to beat the crowds came up short in that the gate was locked until 9:30... So we never got to be up close to test it out and stick our hand in.
Although our early start did bless us with a gorgeous sunrise, and a stop at a wonderful little cappuccino bar near the river. Run by a sweet older couple, you know it is good when it is filled with construction workers :)
Walking along the river was the only time we were reminded it was Autumn with the Fall colours. Mostly everywhere we went was green and the warm (for us) weather felt like spring.
Next, on to the heart of Rome the place where it is believed Julius Caesar was killed. Next to these ruins is a sanctuary and animal shelter. So there were cats just chilling out where Caesar died. Even two guarding the steps.
Onwards to the Spanish Steps
That awkward moment where a tourist walks right into your shot. Rather oblivious to the fact that they were standing right in front of me while B was attempting to take my picture. Even my laughing and frantic waving behind them did not cause them to move. I think I am in the background of their photos waving :)
<-- Where modern times clash with the ancient days.
Rome is an amazing city; the history that its ruins holds is phenomenal. It was a real treat to wander the streets and ponder about the many feet that had walked where I trod. The city where apostle Paul was imprisoned and died. The city where many Christians were martyred at the hand of Nero. Truly it was a joy to reach out and almost touch the history that was hiding around each corner.
Our final day in Rome was going to be a short one since we had to be headed back to the airport by 1:00pm So to make the most of our day we started off running at 7:00 am!
First stop was the Bocca della Verità (mouth of truth) famous for being in movies like Roman Holiday.
However our attempt to beat the crowds came up short in that the gate was locked until 9:30... So we never got to be up close to test it out and stick our hand in.
Walking along the river was the only time we were reminded it was Autumn with the Fall colours. Mostly everywhere we went was green and the warm (for us) weather felt like spring.
Next stop the Pantheon
Onwards to the Spanish Steps
Back to the Trevi Fountain for some daytime shots and the moment of tossing our coin :)
That awkward moment where a tourist walks right into your shot. Rather oblivious to the fact that they were standing right in front of me while B was attempting to take my picture. Even my laughing and frantic waving behind them did not cause them to move. I think I am in the background of their photos waving :)
<-- Where modern times clash with the ancient days.
Rome is an amazing city; the history that its ruins holds is phenomenal. It was a real treat to wander the streets and ponder about the many feet that had walked where I trod. The city where apostle Paul was imprisoned and died. The city where many Christians were martyred at the hand of Nero. Truly it was a joy to reach out and almost touch the history that was hiding around each corner.
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