Kavá, vino and friends...

As it turns out, our week of doing nothing has been quite enjoyable. Of course, when I really reflect, we actually did quite a bit of what we love: relaxing and spending time with friends. We've had many free meals since we blogged last. From the open-faced sandwhiches with Katka, to the five star chilli and brownies with Barb, it's been a good week. And to top it all off, we got to hang out with a couple of our favorite gal-pals last night. Priya and Sarah made us some fantastic beef stew and apple cake, all chased with coffee and wine. Thanks girls, you two are always good for the soul.

Tomorrow we are once again off to western Bohemia for our Central Administrators' business meeting. Hopefully I'll take more pictures of the countryside this time. It's much more scenic than I ever expected. More to come soon...

P.S. It was completely dark tonight by 17:30 (5:30 PM) and each day is getting shorter. It's gonna be a dark winter.

We just wanted to say a big "Thanks" to the Alperts, Stevensons and Gilberts, whose recent packages have turned us into a near Blockbuster. We really appreciate you guys!!

Also, thanks to:
Bernie and Wilma for the fantastic books, spices, food and such. Deb for the coats, decorations, food and fun. Bob Gilmer for the transport of said Stevenson fun and the fantastic dinner. Jay Springer for the parkas (No, it hasn't arrived yet. Thanks to the Czech government, they're sadly still absent). Kristi, Tim and the boys for the trotillas, movies and refried beans. Grandma Alpert for the card. My folks for the much needed computer equipment and 'Alias' episodes (amongst other fun media:) We know that we always have your love, which of course is most important. However, sometimes it's nice to acknowledge the tangibles that people take time and postage to show us that they care. You are appreciated!

Well, it's been a whirlwind week. Sorry that we haven't been more consistent in posting. It just so happens that this last week has been busier than most. It's only today, as our fall break begins, that we have a chance to process and keep people posted. Let's see...where to start? Last Sunday we had lunch at a colleague's house with her family. It was most quaint and fun. We had great food and a whole lotta wine! I wasn't aware that it is a Czech custom to fill a glass as soon as it is emptied. I thought that it would be impolite if I didn't finish it off, so no sooner would I down a glass in the hopes of making a good impression would I find my glass full again and being coaxed to keep drinking. So, three hours and five glasses of wine later we said our goodbyes to our hosts and made our way downtown to meet up with our visiting comrades from Hungary. We hosted a very fun married couple for three days and talked about movies, seminary, God, future plans, music, world domination and, of course, cheese.
Ryan and Amy left us for Austria on Wednesday and it was at that point when we realized that we really didn't have the funds to hop on a train to Budapest for our break. It was a bit of a bummer, but we decided that Vienna might be a better choice since it's a little closer to home. As it turns out, however, while Vienna isn't exceptionally expensive, it's not exceptionally cheap either. So, we elected to stay in town and catch up on some sleep and much needed down-time. So to summarize, on Monday we wanted to go to Budapest, by Wednesday it changed to Vienna and as of Thursday night we were staying put. We thought immobility was the wisest decision. We were really looking forward to spending five quiet days at home without any obligations, but we were still a little miffed that we were not going to be able to explore at least a little bit. So then, of course, the good Lord remedied all of our problems in one swing. Friday morning we were asked by our administration to tag along on a senior class trip for a few days that would first go to Budapest and then swing on over to Vienna, all for about 3000 crowns (about 90 bucks)!! And it gets better! The trip is about three weeks away and we'll be excused from teaching for two days! So, we get extra time off, we get to spend a week alone and we get to go to our two favored destinations with a bunch of teenagers for a fraction of the cost!! Not to mention they're giving us our own hotel room! God is good, all the time.
So that's been the evolution of our week. We can't really complain. And to top it all off we just had lunch with another colleague and her family. We had the best time. Mrs. Fukova is the sweetest lady you could ever meet and has the most hospitable family imaginable. After a very very hearty meal, followed by cake and coffee, she gave us a tour of a local art gallery and footed the bill! What a great day!
Well, we're going to go do nothing now. We love you guys and hope to have some more pictures and other goodies up soon, so continue to check back periodically. Nashledanou!

It's a cold, wet day here...again. I'm actually getting used to it. The only downside is that the days just seem to blur slowly together. When you have only gray instead of morning, afternoon and night, it can be a bit confusing to the senses. But, as I said, I am getting used to it and actually enjoy it in a strange way. Europe just seems more textured and the monochromatic skyscape just seems to enhance that.

A thought occurred to me this morning while I was teaching. My students were working on a presentation in groups, so I had a few minutes to stare blankly out of the window. I decided that someday, when I am independently wealthy (ha), I'm going to move back to Prague, get a simple flat on the third or fourth floor of an old building and just go on a caffeine induced writing binge. Maybe a year would be long enough. For some reason, this is the perfect place for such a dream. It's too bad that I'm too busy right now to even think about it. But I think we all have those dreams. What would you want to do if neither money nor time were an issue and you could spend your days in whatever locale you wish? It's not about being rich mind you, it's about having the freedom to pursue a personal passion exclusively. On that note, I've gotta go teach...

It's a cold, wet day here...again. I'm actually getting used to it. The only downside is that the days just seem to blur slowly together. When you have only gray instead of morning, afternoon and night, it can be a bit confusing to the senses. But, as I said, I am getting used to it and actually enjoy it in a strange way. Europe just seems more textured and the monochromatic skyscape just seems to enhance that.

A thought occurred to me this morning while I was teaching. My students were working on a presentation in groups, so I had a few minutes to stare blankly out of the window. I decided that someday, when I am independently wealthy (ha), I'm going to move back to Prague, get a simple flat on the third or fourth floor of an old building and just go on a caffeine induced writing binge. Maybe a year would be long enough. For some reason, this is the perfect place for such a dream. It's too bad that I'm too busy right now to even think about it. But I think we all have those dreams. What would you want to do if neither money nor time were an issue and you could spend your days in whatever locale you wish? It's not about being rich mind you, it's about having the freedom to pursue a personal passion exclusively. On that note, I've gotta go teach...

thoughts from my headphones this morning on the way to work:

"...It's grace that gives me fear
and grace that draws me near
and all that it asks, it provides..."

Really folks, without grace...where would we be?

So....

when you move to a new country there are some obvious difficulties that you anticipate. new food, new transportation, language problems, etc. but some of the funniest things are the ones you do not expect.

for example- appliances. we have a large mini-fridge. (a big, college sized fridge) that one is not so bad. next- the washing machine. Praise the Lord we have a washing machine. But i have to say that the couple hours i spent reading the directions did not fulfill my need or questions to understand the strange alien. and now, the alien spends two hours washing one mini load. but, i really think that is normal.

third, directions on food. how to prepare? well, there are always two languages to read from. yea? no. slovakian and czech. but some producers do understand the illiterate americans and foreigners and put pictures. but, is the picture of the fire underneath the pan on high, or medium? is that strange liquid being poured in water, milk, or beer?

also, the heating unit. folks, until today we have not had heating. not because it was broken and we were waiting for it to be fixed. but because the dial on the heating unit in the kitchen was switched to warm water mode, and not heating unit and warm water mode. oops! so today i was standing in the kitchen using TPR (total physical response), a tactic used in teaching a foriegn language to explain myself. basically i was holding my arms, pretending to shiver and repeating "burr". that is when my befriended older janitorial man giggled and turn the dial one direction.

The Lord gives patience and humor to those who need it most....

as michael stated, yes....we have hungarian american comrades coming to stay with us. another awesome married couple. (i guess that means that i was calling us awesome, ha)
so, we will be hosting next week.

also, michael and i have been invited for Sunday afternoon lunch at a czech teacher, one of our colleague's house, this weekend. what fun! new friends. food. TPR to communicate.

"Every good thing comes down from our Father of Lights, of which there is no variance or shifting shadow."

lovekatie

I don't know about Texas, but it was FREEZING this morning when I hopped on the metro. I think our nice breezy autumn is gone and the snowy, rainy winter is upon us. And I hear this is just the beginning...

We had a nice relaxing weekend in Dlouhy, CR. For the first time since our arrival, we were able to spend some time with other ESI teachers we befriended at training who are teaching in Hungary. It was a leadership retreat filled with business, business, business but be assured we snuck in plenty of fellowship and fun. Katie and I also got to lead worship with Ryan, a very talented teacher from Hungary. The retreat center was quite picturesque; sitting on a lake, surrounded by gorgeous trees and cabins. Couldn't have really asked for a better respite.

We finally got most of our paper work processed last week and were paid for the first time on Friday. We went right out and bought some quality touring backpacks, since we've spent almost every weekend so far in another part of the country. And the fun doesn't stop there! We were suprised to find out that our school is having an extra-long fall break. We will have a full week off at the end of the month, so we've decided to scoot on over to Budapest and stay with some of our aforementioned Hungary comrades. Pictures and stories will be sure to follow...

god bless.

...it was 7 am. michael had just left for work. i was getting my things together for school when i heard a large crashing noise against my window. "i know they are replacing our windows throughout our flat today, but surely they would warn me!"

well, no. they didn't warn us. i mean, yes the city had an excess of money to spend this month and chose to replace every window in our large school. yes, i knew that they would eventually make it to our flat, needing to replace those as well. but still, moving furniture, hearing the crashes and bangs still shocks you. so, when i was finished teaching i made it back to our flat, seeing that every wall, we have big windows, has been taken- i decided to head away for the day. the windows and the noise will cease the 15th of October, thank the Lord- but a funny story nonetheless. work ethic, noise control, and school rules are very different in the mysterious parts of the world.

michael is great, i got home from bible study last night and he had moved every piece of furniture away from our large windows, what a stud. and yes, i am doing a women's bible study called "becoming a woman of purpose". it's great.

oh...
here's the other bit of information i wanted to talk about. czechs are brilliant in the area of the dressing for cold. i mean, in the States...we put on a sweater, put on a coat, then gloves, then hats and maybe if it's really cold- a scarf. but folks, i tell you. czechs can leave the coats, gloves and hats at home. ever worn normal clothes with a scarf? it's amazing the difference. i would highly recommend before getting out those winter accesories, wear a scarf for a while.

yesterday, michael, petr (a czech teacher) and i went to the Foreign Police to register, it was a cold, gray, absolutely beautiful day. we got a chance to be outside for a bit and the scarf was amazing. i am telling you, czechs are smart.

alright, enough crazy talk. we are off again this weekend. have a great one- you all. it's the second week in October already. wow.

bye. nashledano.
love katie

Once agian, it's Sunday and we're back from another trip to western Bohemia. We were in Germany for all of about 20 minutes, but it was enough to get our passports and visas restamped. We're really starting to love the countryside out west. It reminds me of Missouri or Northern California with castles and cottages. Much fun.

It's a slow, rainy day here and we slept through church. We've been going to the International Church of Prague, but tonight we're going to try Prague Christian Fellowship as a friend of ours is preaching (and it doesn't start until 4:30 in the afternoon). Not much more to report at the moment. Next weekend we'll be travelling once again. We have to attend a leadership retreat in a small town called Alamots. We have no idea where it is, but we're looking forward to it nonetheless. Hugs and kisses and all that jazz.

well...
i am teaching on weather and seasons this week- a maturita topic. (maturita is the final exam that each student must take in 4 areas...math, science, language, and history, that they each must pass to recieve a diploma and actually graduate). In USA we have entrance exams to college. here they have exit exams to graduate and entrance exams to get into university- they are very hard.

So anyway, there are a certain 25 or so topics that mike and i must cover for our 4th forms (seniors). Weather and seasons....

so, i needed to take a quiz grade this week. so i pulled the greatness of the Beatles to show the difference in seasons of life and of weather and climate. each student had to write a page or so of their thoughts. in some classes, this is normal- to talk about what you think. in most of the others- this is crazy. but i wanted to relay some normal everyday info about teaching, thought you might like it.

we are headed to Germany this weekend to leave the country with our Visas- Praise God now we are legal....and we can get paid! hope you all have a great 1st weekend of October.

"There is a time for ever season under the sun. a time to be born, a time to die. a time to love and a time to hate. a time for war and a time for peace."
Modified Beatles song, and of course....the greatest of the book of Ecclesiastes!

love katie